- Margaret Kiptoo endured a terrible night following a heavy rain that almost ended her life
- As he struggled to regain his health and strength, he recounted the painful moment when he was trapped by a large stone in Elgeyo Marakwet County
- The woman not only made a final prayer to her Creator but also made a painful decision to save her life
A woman who survived the mudslides that destroyed the Chesongoch area, East Marakwet constituency, Elgeyo Marakwet county, has spoken.
Source: Youtube
The landslide occurred on Saturday morning, November 1, following heavy rains, killing at least 30 people.
The victims were rushed to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital there EldoretUasin Gishu county.
Among the survivors was Margaret Kiptoo, who was still traumatized by the tragic incident while receiving treatment at the hospital.
Kiptoo apologizes
Kiptoo painfully remembered how his sleep was disturbed by heavy rain at about seven in the morning.
“I went back to sleep. The rain was very heavy. Within a short time, a big stone landed on my chest. I shouted for help. At that time, I was being carried by the water. I did not see my child. I was carried by the flood until I reached the bottom. I called the name of my God and told him to receive my soul in heaven and forgive me of all my sins.” he narrated.
The helpless woman found herself trapped under a large rock and had to make a painful decision to save herself.
Kiptoo plucked his hair
Her hair was caught under a large rock, and despite the excruciating pain, she had to pull the ropes one by one to free herself.
“The stone had caught my hair. It was heavy and painful. I had to remove hair one by one while making loud and painful noises,” he continued.
That was not all. Kiptoo also recalled the moment of breakdown shortly before he was finally rescued.
“The water was full of clay that had filled my mouth and eyes and blocked my ears,” he said.
Kiptoo fears for his children whose whereabouts are unknown
As he continued to recover, Kiptoo said he was worried about his children, whom he had not seen or heard from since the incident.
Her children were among the 21 people reported missing, as she hoped they would be found safe and alive.
Four more bodies were found during a frantic search and rescue mission on Monday, November 3.
Two other people died after mudslides
Another victim, Gabriel Yego, said he had never experienced such a tragedy, his face filled with shock and sadness.
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In a separate incident, two people were confirmed dead after another mudslide hit Kipkenda Village, Keiyo North Constituency.
The two died on Sunday night, November 2, after a large stone fell and demolished their house.
“We heard the sound of large stones from the hill while the heavy rain continued to fall. When the rain subsided, we cried for help. When we got here, we found the woman and her grandchildren crushed,” said resident Barnaba Kiplagat.
Source: Facebook
Secretary General of Basic Education Julius Bitok speaks
Primary Education Secretary General Julius Bitok confirmed that several students in eight schools in the area were among the dead.
“The records here show that we lost 14 students in surrounding schools. This is very unfortunate, and I want to take this opportunity to sympathize with the families who lost their loved ones,” he said.
Authorities urged residents of the affected areas to move to safer areas as heavy rain continued to fall.
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