Death toll arises to 56 as copious rain hits Kenya

The death toll from landslides in northwestern Kenya triggered by unusually heavy rains has risen to at least 56 people, a local official said.

The downpour began on Friday in West Pokot County, which borders Uganda, and worsened overnight, causing flooding and mudslides that swept away four bridges and left villages inaccessible by road.

The country has seen mass displacement and villages buried under earth after floods and relentless torrential rain.

According to West Pokot county governor, John Lonyangapuo, 11 of those who died were from the same house.

He added, “More people are marooned and the entire village is at risk of being wiped out by the floods.”

He added that rescue efforts were underway in the area, where more than 500 vehicles are stuck on roads damaged by the landslides.

Researchers have warned that warming oceans are causing unpredictable weather patterns in East Africa.

Heavy rains and floods have killed more than 50 people and forced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes across East Africa, aid groups said earlier this month.