Families of individuals who lost their lives during the horrific West Pokot landslides tragedy Tuesday laid their loved ones to rest, as heavy rainfall continued to pound the area.
Heartwrenching photos from the funeral service for the deceased painted a grim picture of the situation in the county, as claims of the government abandoning needy families, who lost their property alongside their kin in the destructive landslides, escalate.
West Pokot Governor John Lonyangopuo and Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa were in attendance at the gloomy event, where mourners had to battle tons of mud just to manoeuvre around.
The end-November accident claimed at least 43 lives.
Condoling with families who lost their loved ones in @WestPokotCounty landslide tragedy.The National Govt is providing support of Food/ NFIs,Kshs40,000 to each family to cover funeral expenses and iron sheets for reconstruction of their houses after burial. #RIPPokotSouls pic.twitter.com/KovHFYvnSk
— Eugene L. Wamalwa (@EugeneLWamalwa) December 10, 2019
The mass service was held at Makutano Stadium in Kapenguria.
Meanwhile, photos of the deplorable conditions under which the survivors are currently living have also gone viral on social media.
Victims are seen holed up in small tents held up by pieces of sticks, with plastic bags being the only barrier between their thin mattresses and wet ground.
Residents have accused the government of shifting focus to non-urgent political issues instead of assisting the affected citizens to rebuild a decent life for themselves.
Hey despot uhuru, this woman voted for you in 2017 and 2013 with his people, but you have forgotten them completely.They lack governemnt services completely.#RipPokotSouls pic.twitter.com/pZgs36F2Fi
— Elias Pkiach mpokot® (@EliasPkiach) December 10, 2019
Deputy President William Ruto was among the top government officials who visited the affected families shortly after the landslides, while Interior CS Fred Matiang’i was forced to cut his journey to the area short due to poor weather conditions.