At least 29 people died when their homes collapsed in landslides in Kenya during a night of heavy rain and storms, the government said on Saturday.
Houses collapsed in the early hours of Saturday morning due to heavy rain in the province of Bukot, about 350 km northwest of the capital Nairobi.
"We regret to confirm that 12 people from Tapash and Barua in the south of Bukot and 17 from Tamkal in central Bukot have died," Kenyan Interior Minister Fred Matiangi said in a statement.
He continued: "Our condolences to the families and friends of those affected."
The minister said the authorities had deployed army and police helicopters to help with relief efforts delayed by banditry and bridges after the rain turned to Seoul.
The Kenya Red Cross said "landslides have been reported in several areas in western Bukot district after heavy rains," adding that emergency teams have been sent to help with relief efforts.
The landslides come after weeks of devastating rains in eastern Africa.
Heavy rains have displaced tens of thousands of people in Somalia, flooded entire villages in southern Sudan, and killed dozens in landslides and floods in Ethiopia and Tanzania.
