Kenya: Death toll from landslides rises to 52

NAIROBI, Kenya

The death toll from landslides in Western Kenya from heavy rains has risen to 52, authorities announced on Monday.

John Lonyangapuo, governor of West Pokot County, told reporters earlier Monday that 22 people remain unaccounted for.

Thousands were left homeless after their homes were swept away by floods due to heavy rainfall, with meteorologists warning more rains may be in store.

Some 22,000 homesteads and 80,000-120,000 residents have been displaced or have been affected by the landslides, Lonyangapuo said, adding that the rescue efforts were still underway, according to the Daily Nation.

President Uhuru Kenyatta said that he had directed the deployment to the affected region of resources including rescue personnel from various security and humanitarian agencies including the Kenya Defense Forces and National Police Service to guard against further loss of life.

The Kenyan leader further directed regional commissioners in flood and landslide-prone regions in the East African country to work closely with security and humanitarian teams to ensure that the public is moved to safer ground.