Landslide sweeps home, tea farm in Othaya
A mudslide on July 29, 2016 swept a house and a quarter-acre tea farm in Othaya, Nyeri County. No one was injured. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The mudslide occured early Friday morning at about 8am.
- Three other homes adjacent to the swept house are also at risk.
- Mr Huja said he had reported a leaking water pipe suspected to be the cause to authorities but nothing was done.
A landslide swept a home and a quarter-acre tea plantation on Friday in Kariko Village in Othaya, Nyeri County, on Friday.
According to John Huja, a brother of the house’s owner, the incident happened at about 8am.
The owner, Ndegwa Kibuu, died earlier this year and his nephew John Gitonga has been living in the house.
Mr Huja said his nephew had just left the house when the landside occurred.
Residents said a massive water leakage that had soaked the soil for more than three weeks caused the landslide.
Mr Huja said he had reported the leaking water pipe to the Othaya-Mukurweini Water and Sanitation Company and the county government three weeks ago but no action was taken.
Three other homes adjacent to the swept house are also at risk.
Chinga Ward County Administrator Jack Kibutu said the county, in collaboration with Kenya Red Cross, is working to prevent more families from being affected.
(Editing by Joel Muinde)
