At least 24 dead in landslides in Western Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya

At least 24 people died in western Kenya on Saturday amid landslides following heavy downpours across the country.

Local authorities in West Pokot county confirmed that seven of the dead were children according to Kenya's Daily Nation newspaper.

"Disaster management teams are on the scene trying to recover survivors and the deceased," Pokot South Deputy County Commissioner Fredrick Kimanga told Anadolu Agency.

"We were lucky to have moved when the rains started. Today, what was our village was wiped from the face of the earth, no trees, no houses, it is really terrible," said local teacher Peter Kimuugon.

A junior police officer who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media told Anadolu Agency that at least six people remain missing.

"But the figure might be higher because every minute new cases are being reported of people missing," he added.

Heavy rains pounding the East African country have swept away bridges and roads, causing heavy traffic jams on major highways.

In April 2018, landslides in Kenya killed 100 people and displaced thousands.