Death Toll in Elgeyo Marakwet Landslide Rises to 36 as Search Efforts Intensify for Missing Victims
The occurrence of another landslide this morning in the area has left one woman and her grandchild dead and three others injured.
The mudslide, which occurred in the night of October 31 after continuous heavy rainfall in Rift Valley, leaves a trail of destruction. Photo/courtesy.
By Ruth Sang
The tragic landslide that hit Chesongoch in Elgeyo Marakwet County has so far claimed 36 lives, while many more are still missing nearly a week after the disaster struck. In a statement dispatched on Thursday, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura confirmed that rescue operations, spearheaded by a multi-agency team, were ongoing as authorities scale up efforts to account for the 16 persons still reported missing.
Mwaura said 35 bodies have so far been retrieved from the rubble. Four survivors who were admitted to the hospital have since been discharged. Nine others are still undergoing treatment and counseling at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. “It is with deep regret that we announce 16 persons are still missing. The Government, through its multi-agency response, remains dedicated to finding them and offering closure to the affected families,” the statement read.
The mudslide, which occurred in the night of October 31 after continuous heavy rainfall in Rift Valley, leaves a trail of destruction. The occurrence of another landslide this morning in the area has left one woman and her grandchild dead and three others injured. More communities have been put in danger as torrential rains threaten communities.
In an interview with Citizen TV, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisely Rotich described the incident as the worst natural disaster the county had witnessed in years. He expressed deep sorrow for the losses some families suffered, indicating that there were those who lost seven to eight relatives in a single night. Rotich called for urgent humanitarian intervention and long-term measures to avert future tragedies.
The impact of the continuous heavy rainfall has not only been witnessed in Elgeyo Marakwet but also its neighboring county, Trans Nzoia, which has equally witnessed devastating floods that have left hundreds of residents displaced. According to the latest government statistics, 6,318 households have been affected, with 637 people so far being sheltered in eight temporary shelters across Kwanza, Endebes, and Saboti sub-counties.
The national government has also allocated Ksh29 million for emergency relief, including food and other essential non-food items to cushion families affected. However, authorities have continued to appeal for increased support from humanitarian partners to enhance current recovery efforts. Priority needs include clean water, sanitation, shelter, psychosocial support, and long-term resilience building. “The government is working closely with county administrations, development partners, and stakeholders to restore dignity and stability to the affected families,” Mwaura emphasized. “We remain empathetic to the pain and loss endured by all those affected and assure them of our continued support, prayers, and solidarity during this difficult time.”
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