Written by Phanice Chepkemoi and Protus Simiyu 2012-05-24 16:25:00 Read 637 Times

One of the homes that was destroyed by the storm in Chemweisus village in Mt. Elgon District. Photos | Protus Simiyu.

One person died and five others injured after over 50 houses were totally destroyed following a heavy storm in Chemweisus village in Mt. Elgon district last evening (Wednesday).

Confirming the incident, the outgoing Mt. Elgon District Commissioner who has been elevated to be County Commissioner in Narok County Kassim Farah said that Fostine Cheruto a first born daughter to Fostine Cheruto a standard 2 class pupil at Chemuses primary school was rushed to Mt. Elgon district hospital and later referred to Moi Teaching and Referral hospital in Eldoret where she passed on while undergoing treatment.

Kassim said five people were injured during the incident and that three were treated and discharge saying a shopkeeper who sustained head injuries receiving treatment at Mt. Elgon district hospital in stable condition.

He said already the district disaster committee has visited the village and assessed the damage while revealing that a comprehensive report will be send to the ministry of special programs.

Farah said they have already communicated to the office of the president and the ministry of special programs for an urgent help to assist the area residents who are now homeless.

‘’We have requested for non food materials, for instance building materials beddings and even food if available because their food was completely damaged during the ugly incident,’’ he said.

He said the government is committed within its limits to ensure the affected people are assisted to go back to normality.

‘’Even the area Mp is aware and he has promised to visit the village over the weekend and that he has accepted to use CDF funds including his own money to assist the affected homesteads,’’ Farah pointed out.

Similarly, according to Mt.Elgon Red Cross acting coordinator Mr. Job Kipnesti, more than two hundred households and one thousand five hundred people have been affected.

The residents are now left in the cold after the roofs of their houses were pulled off by strong winds.

“Those were the assessment we did on Wednesday but we are yet to give the actual estimates because we are still assessing,” says Mr.Kipnesti.

OCPD Mt.Elgon Robinson Mboloi has urged the residents to be calm in order for the government to see what they can do and for other well-wishers to come on board to help them.

Reuben Chepkuto (above) was in the house at the time of the incidence and he says that the wind blew off the iron sheets and threw them far away.”

“The wind was so strong that even uprooted some of the trees which later destroyed our house completely,” He said.

The residents are now calling on the government and well-wishers to help them with clothing, food and building materials in order for them to continue with their normal life.

Mrs. Davine Chepkuto (left) a mother of eight whose three houses were completely smashed down by the strong winds accompanied by heavy rains have appealed to Non Governmental Organizations and Kenya Red Cross to intervene and give their support of any kind.

‘’Some of us spent the night in the cold and we have no place to go, if the government can offer us tents as short term measure we will appreciate,’’ Reuben Chepkuto a father of six urged.

In the same district in Nomorio location a church roof was blown off and three shops completely destroyed at Nomorio trading center.

In Elgon location, Kaberwa village within Mt. Elgon district, roofs of five shops were also blown off without any injuries being reported.

The body of the boy who died culminating from the incident is laying the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary.

The rains also affected residents of Kaberua and Bugaa villages destroying shops and properties of unknown value. 

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