Massive landslide hit Nairobi slum Mathare in Kenya

Massive boulders crashed onto houses Wednesday in Mathare, a Nairobi slum, killing at least eight people after a night of heavy rains, police and the Kenyan Red Cross said. The landslide, which unleashed huge boulders, wrecked at least 40 homes in the sprawling slums in the north of the capital, according to the Kenya Red Cross, in a part of Nairobi called Mathare  4A. The event happened near dawn, local time. Rescue teams’ efforts had been hampered by heavy rains. Nairobi Provincial Commissioner Njoroge Ndirangu said people living on disaster prone areas across the city will be moved forcefully to avoid a repeat of the Wednesday incident.

 Heavy rains have begun pounding several Kenyan regions at the start of the main rainy season, which often causes floods and massive displacement. Special Programmes Permanent Secretary Andrew Mondoh said “there is a high likelihood of flooding, landslides and lightning incidences occurring in the River basins of Nzoia, Nyando, Yala and Galana. He added this could lead to the possible displacement of people in the areas affected. A deluge is also expected in Budalangi, Nyando and Ahero while in the Coastal region, the areas that will be affected include Garsen and Lamu. The public has also been urged to take precautions in parts of Western, Nyanza, the Central Rift and the South Rift areas.

Featured image credit: DVI Forensic/yeeyan