In Brief: Hundreds evacuated in Kenya after mudslide death

Photo: Ann Weru/IRIN

In the past two weeks, heavy rains have been reported in most parts of Kenya (file photo)

NAIROBI, 4 November 2009 (IRIN) - Authorities in central Kenya have ordered hundreds of people to evacuate after a girl was killed when a mudslide destroyed her home  following heavy rains.

The incident took place in Gathaithi, in Murang’a East district.

“I have ordered all those living near the ill-fated home to vacate immediately and move to safer  ground. The government will provide them with essentials like tents and food,” District Commissioner George Natambeya said.
 
 In the past two weeks, heavy rains have been reported in most parts of the country and the government has ordered some families in landslide-prone areas of the larger Murang’a, Maragwa and Nyeri districts in central Kenya to vacate their homes.  Several deaths have occurred in the area as a result of mudslides because of the area’s topography.

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