Update: 15 dead after massive landslide in Elgeyo Marakwet County following heavy rains

A landslide hit Moror Village and Chesongoch Centre in Elgeyo Marakwet County in the early hours of Saturday morning, leaving at least 15 residents dead and many others injured following heavy overnight rains.

Kerio Valley Sub-County Commander Zablon Okonyo confirmed the death toll, noting that the impact of the landslide has rendered the scene inaccessible. Rescue efforts are, however, ongoing despite blocked access routes.

According to the Ministry of Interior, 25 people are injured and 30 more remain unaccounted for.

Elgeyo Marakwet Deputy Governor Wesley Rotich said the county government is mobilising ambulances and medical personnel from across the region to respond to the tragedy.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Red Cross has announced that its teams have been activated to assess the situation, carry out rescue operations, and provide support to affected families.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen also announced that the national government has deployed police and military helicopters carrying medical personnel to assist in ongoing search and rescue efforts.

"We are working with the County Government and non-state actors to respond to this unfortunate incident and provide the necessary support to the affected families. Efforts are underway to restore the destroyed road network to facilitate movement and access for emergency and relief operations," said CS Murkomen.

The area has experienced similar disasters in the past, often attributed to decades of increased land use without targeted soil conservation measures, leaving the terrain vulnerable to erosion and landslides during extreme weather events.

In May last year, a landslide hit the homestead of a retired teacher in Tuturung Village, Marakwet East Sub-County, killing two people and injuring another around 2:10 am after a heavy downpour.

In 2020, a landslide on the border of West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet displaced 4,000 people, injured many, and claimed 29 lives following intense rainfall.

Other Topics To Read

• Headlines
• National
• floods
• Elgeyo Marakwet
• flash floods
• Landslide
• rain
• Mudslides
• Elgeyo Marakwet County
• Update: 15 dead after massive landslide in Elgeyo Marakwet County following heavy rains
• News

“It occurred in the afternoon, giving residents time to evacuate after distress calls from those who witnessed the mass movement from higher ground. It could have been worse had it happened at night,” said Prof Wilson Ng'etich, a soil science expert.

“The devastating effects were felt downhill in Liter and Chesogon areas, where flash floods and mudslides swept away everything in their path; people, livestock, homes, schools, a police station, and the post office.”

The deadliest landslide in the region occurred in November 2019, claiming 52 lives, destroying property, and displacing over 22,000 households across Parua, Nyarkulian, Sebit, Muino, Tamkal, and Batei.