Elgeyo Marakwet mudslide death toll rises to 34 as 17 remain missing
Thirteen others recuperating at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), the government has confirmed.
The death toll from the recent mudslide in Elgeyo Marakwet County has risen to 34, with 17 people still missing and 13 others recuperating at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), the government has confirmed.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has also announced that four survivors have been discharged.
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The disaster, which struck Marakwet East Constituency in the early hours of November 1, 2025, was triggered by heavy short rains, leaving many residents trapped, displaced or injured.
More than 6,000 households have been affected by flooding and landslides during the ongoing October–November–December rains, causing widespread destruction of homes, farmland and infrastructure across Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, Tana River, Baringo, Central Kenya, Northern Kenya and parts of Nairobi.
A high-level government delegation, including Water Cabinet Secretary Eric Muuga, Deborah Barasa (Climate and Environment), alongside the governors of Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot, has been on the ground leading coordinated response and recovery efforts.
Mwaura noted that search and recovery operations are ongoing with the support of security agencies and local residents.
“Today, the focus has been on accelerating recovery and resettlement efforts. Trucks carrying essential food and non-food items were dispatched to reach the displaced families, marking a significant step in restoring normalcy to the region,” he said.
Muuga confirmed that the Mulwaber Water Intake and approximately 1.7 kilometres of pipeline were destroyed by the landslide.
He, however, noted that water bowsers have been mobilised to ensure a steady supply of clean water to the affected communities.
The Ministry will also commence drilling two boreholes to provide a sustainable water source, while emergency pit latrines are being constructed in temporary shelters.
“A technical team has been left to assess the full extent of damage to water infrastructure, including the Mulwaber Irrigation Scheme project,” he said.
Barasa emphasised that the Kenya Meteorological Department continues to issue regular advisories and localised forecasts to the public, county governments and emergency response agencies.
She further noted that the Ministry has identified and is closely monitoring high-risk zones across several counties, including Garissa, Tana River, Mandera, Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Kisumu, Busia, Narok, and the Coastal Belt of Kilifi, Kwale, Mombasa, and Lamu.
“Community sensitisation campaigns are ongoing in partnership with county governments and local organisations, encouraging residents living in vulnerable areas to relocate to safer grounds. Environmental protection measures are also being strengthened through the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to prevent encroachment of riparian reserves, wetlands and catchment areas that exacerbate flood risks,” she said.
According to the Ministry, satellite monitoring has detected potential tropical cyclone formation over the western Indian Ocean, which may influence rainfall along the Coast and Eastern regions.
The Ministry said it continues to provide real-time updates, urging coastal communities and fisherfolk to remain alert and follow official guidance.
Meanwhile, humanitarian response has attracted contributions from government agencies, private sector partners and faith-based organisations. The Co-operative Bank of Kenya has reportedly donated Sh5 million, while Saint Barnabas Catholic Church in Kimumu contributed 1.5 tonnes of clothes.
World Vision Kenya, the West Pokot County Government and the Ministry of Special Programmes have also supplied rice, beans, blankets, mattresses, soap and sanitary towels. CS Muuga personally donated 20 bales of rice.
“The Multi-Agency Team on the ground continues to oversee distribution of these items to stabilise livelihoods and ensure that no affected household is left behind,” the government said.
“A special military police unit, supported by three sniffer dogs, has also been deployed to locate the missing. With hopes of finding survivors diminishing, the focus is shifting from rescue to mitigation, with temporary shelters established to group families based on their level of need.”
Mwaura added that disaster response officers and mental health specialists from the Ministry of Health are also providing support, while water and hygiene services are being maintained to prevent disease outbreaks.
Blocked roads have mostly been cleared, restoring access to cut-off villages. Kenya Power is also repairing damaged electricity lines, and engineers from North Rift Water Works are restoring the water supply.
The government has since urged residents in landslide-prone and flood-risk areas to relocate to safer ground, avoid crossing flooded roads or rivers and follow official guidance. It also expressed gratitude to rescue workers, volunteers and humanitarian organisations supporting the response.
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