Two more killed after another landslide hits Elgeyo Marakwet County

Barely two days after a devastating landslide claimed 26 lives in Elgeyo Marakwet County, two more fatalities and three people with injuries have been confirmed following another landslide in Kibendo, Keiyo North.

While confirming the incident, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen cautioned Elgeyo Marakwet residents to be aware of their surroundings, warning that the area is still under threat.

“As heavy rainfall continues to be experienced across several parts of the country, the risk of landslides, especially along the Kerio Valley region, is heightened. This morning, a rockfall incident in the Kibendo area of Keiyo North claimed two lives and injured three others. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the deceased and wish a quick recovery to those who were injured. I commend the County Government of Elgeyo-Marakwet and the Kenya Red Cross for their quick response and continued alertness to disaster incidents in the area," he said.

"We continue to call on residents in the region to be aware of their surroundings and to report any signs of earth movements to local authorities. The entire Kerio Valley is under threat as it continues to rain; there is always the danger of landslides. The county and regional commissioner is well briefed to make sure that we give early warning and alerts to everybody to go to safe ground.”

Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich said the Sunday night incident was triggered by persistent torrential rains.

He urged residents living along the escarpment to relocate to safer areas as rescue efforts got underway.

“We have just experienced another landslide at Kibendo in Keiyo North due to the torrential rains, and the unfortunate has happened. The county disaster response team, the office of the area MP, and ambulances are already on site. We urge all EMC residents who live in fragile areas along the escarpment to move to higher ground. I beg each one of us to listen; these are extraordinary times and require compliance to save lives,” he said.

He added that local authorities and residents acted swiftly to rush the injured to Iten County Referral Hospital.

“Sadly, we lost two after a huge rockfall crashed into the house they were in. All other injured had soft tissue injuries and were reviewed by doctors at ICRH and just discharged now,” he said.

Rotich also expressed concerns that blocked roads were hampering rescue operations in the aftermath of the landslides.

“The Kapsowar–Chesoi tarmac was completely blocked last night just after Maina Centre at Mawe Tano area, complicating access to Sambirir, Embobut, and Chesongoch. An alternative route is through the Maina–Chemngoror road. We have mobilised machinery to try to unblock it. Be safe,” he said.

The Kenya Red Cross confirmed that response teams had been dispatched en route to the scene.

The Ministry of Interior reported that 19 survivors have been rescued, while several others are receiving treatment at Chesongoch Mission Hospital. Search and rescue operations continue amid impassable roads and blocked access routes, with aerial support deployed to assist with evacuation and medical aid.

Murkomen condoled with affected families and assured the government’s continued support. Heavy rains and flooding are also causing fatalities and destruction in other parts of the country, including Kisumu West (Dhuhush, Lebille, Bultobanta, Bangale), Garissa, Laikipia, and parts of Mombasa County (Mburukenge, Kaa Chonjo).

The Ministry of Interior has warned that heavy rainfall is expected to persist, increasing the risk of floods and landslides, particularly in hilly and riverine areas.

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A multi-agency response team comprising National Government Administration Officers, the National Police Service, Kenya Red Cross, and other partners is coordinating relief and evacuation efforts.

The government, working with partners, has mobilised extensive support for the Elgeyo Marakwet communities affected. The County Government of Elgeyo Marakwet has provided medical personnel, machinery to clear roads, food, and a disaster team, while local residents have assisted in search operations.

The State Department of Special Programmes has distributed 600 bags of rice, 520 bags of beans, 1,000 blankets, 300 mattresses, 30 boxes of soap, and 10 bales of sanitary towels to displaced families.

The military has deployed four helicopters and one fixed-wing aircraft to assist with search and rescue, supplied medical equipment including stretchers, and sent disaster response specialists and rapid response teams. The County Government of Uasin Gishu has provided ambulances, machinery, food, water and 150 blankets.

Kenya Red Cross has deployed drones and Geographic Information System mapping to assess damage, distributed seven tonnes of food and non-food items to 100 households (with plans to extend aid to 500 families), established tracing desks to reunite separated families, provided psychosocial support and engaged communities in relocating to safer grounds to prevent further loss of life.