Death toll rises to 26 in Marakwet East landslide as rescue efforts intensify

Seven more bodies have been retrieved today following the Marakwet East landslide disaster, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths from the tragedy to 26, Interior CS Murkomen has confirmed.

The mudslide, which struck Marakwet East Constituency in the early hours of Saturday, was triggered by heavy short rains, leaving many residents trapped, displaced or injured.

Rescue operations are ongoing and involve multi-agency teams from the Ministries of Interior, Defence, Public Service, and Special Programmes; county governments of Elgeyo Marakwet, Uasin Gishu, and Nandi, the National Youth Service, Kenya Red Cross, the military, the National Police Service, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) and other partners.

According to Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, survivors are hospitalised at MTRH and receiving treatment.

“Our thoughts are with them as they recover,” he said.

He added that two more patients have been airlifted to MTRH, and two additional bodies were transferred to the hospital on Sunday.

The government, working closely with partners, has also mobilised extensive support for the communities affected by the Elgeyo Marakwet mudslide.

The County Government of Elgeyo Marakwet has provided medical supplies and personnel, machinery to clear roads, food and a county disaster team, while also mobilising residents to assist in the search for missing persons.

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 operations, in addition to providing medical equipment, including stretchers and sending disaster response specialists and rapid response teams to the scene.

The County Government of Uasin Gishu has supplied ambulances to transport bodies from Eldoret Airport to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, along with machinery to clear roads, food, water and 150 blankets.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Red Cross Society has employed drones and Geographic Information System mapping technology to assess the scale of damage and support search efforts. The organisation has distributed seven tonnes of food and non-food items to 100 households, with plans to extend assistance to up to 500 families. It has also established tracing desks to reunite separated families, provided psychosocial support, and engaged communities in relocating to safer grounds to prevent further loss of life.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has also confirmed that emergency medical support is being offered to victims in Korou, Chesongoch, and Kabetwa areas.

“My condolences to the families affected by the devastating landslides. Our teams are working tirelessly to stabilise and provide lifesaving care to all affected,” Duale said.

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He indicated that four patients remain in critical condition with severe poly-traumatic injuries requiring urgent surgery.

The tragedy, which has also disrupted ongoing examinations, has forced the Ministry of Education to airlift materials to affected schools.

Mwaura noted that one student whose left hand was injured will take the exam in the hospital.

Meanwhile, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba had urged residents in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer grounds as the rains continue.