At least ten people have been confirmed dead after a massive landslide struck the Murkutwo area of Chesongoch in Elgeyo Marakwet County following hours of heavy rainfall on Friday night.
The disaster occurred at around 1 a.m., sweeping away several homes and leaving many residents displaced, with others still unaccounted for.
Kerio Valley OCPD Zablon Okoyo said rescue operations are underway as authorities continue to assess the full extent of the damage.
“The situation remains dire, and we are doing everything possible to reach those still trapped or stranded,” said Okoyo.
He urged residents living near riverbanks to move to higher ground, warning that more landslides could occur due to the ongoing heavy rains.
Elgeyo Marakwet County Police Commander Peter Mulige reported that access to the affected areas remains a major challenge as key roads have been rendered impassable by mud and debris.
Governor Wisley Rotich confirmed that the county government has mobilised both military and police officers to provide aerial support to the rescue efforts.
“We are working with the Kenya Red Cross, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), and additional county doctors who are en route to the area. All county ambulances and medical personnel have been deployed to respond to the landslide emergency across Marakwet East,” the governor said.
Emergency response teams remain on high alert as weather experts warn of continued heavy rainfall in the coming days, heightening fears of further landslides in the hilly terrain of Elgeyo Marakwet.
