25 Bodies Released from MTRH Morgue as Chesongoch Landslide Burials Set for Friday
the burials will take place on the same piece of land, the victims will not be interred in a mass grave
Twenty-five bodies, part of the 39 people who lost their lives in the devastating mudslides that struck Chesongoch in Elgeyo Marakwet, were on Thursday released to families from the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) mortuary in Eldoret.
This follows the earlier release of six bodies on Wednesday, which have since been buried in various villages across Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Speaking at the morgue during the identification and release process, Charles Chelimo, who lost eight members of his family—including his father—said the community is preparing for a joint farewell.
“We shall have a requiem mass tomorrow, Friday, in Chesongoch, followed by the burial of all the 25 victims on the same day in Murukutwo location,” Chelimo said.
He emphasized that although the burials will take place on the same piece of land, the victims will not be interred in a mass grave.
The Chesongoch mudslides, triggered by days of heavy rainfall, left widespread destruction, swept away homes, and displaced several families—highlighting the region’s long-standing vulnerability to flooding and landslides during the rainy seasons, as frequently reported in past disaster assessments.
County authorities and humanitarian agencies have been coordinating relief efforts, including temporary shelter, food distribution, and psychosocial support for affected families.
About Author
