The West Pokot landslide has claimed another police officer, bringing to two the number of cops killed since the Saturday tragedy.
The officer was among four airlifted to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret after the tragedy. Another police officer was admitted to Ortum Mission Hospital.
The body of the first officer confirmed dead was recovered on Monday morning.
Central Pokot sub-county commander Simiyu Were told the Star by phone that the officer died while undergoing treatment.
Were asked residents living in the escarpment to leave as heavier rains were anticipated.
The Saturday evening landslide had by Monday claimed the lives of 12 people. Scores of others were injured. Many were rendered homeless.
The flash floods washed away a police post, schools, market and homes. More than 4,500 people were displaced in West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.
Jane Nguratum said the rains began lightly and she did not expect that it would be too heavy and cost such huge losses.
Nguratum said they received calls from Marakwet residents asking them to move out of the centre because flash floods were coming.
“Immediately I received the call, I left my business and rushed home. I went with some people and police officers since my home is near the centre,” she said.
She visited the market the following day and found everything flattened.
“I could not believe my eyes. I had a cereal store and I can’t even trace where the building was because the whole market centre is flat,” she said.
“I thank God that none of my family members lost their lives. I have lost property worth thousands of shillings.”
Edited by P.O