First Lady Rachel Ruto and CS Kipchumba Murkomen Visit Chesongoch to Condole Landslide Victims
Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said his ministry would work with local authorities to repair power lines destroyed by the landslide.
Mrs. Ruto led the humanitarian mission, delivering food, clothes, and other essential items to affected families, while hailing local leaders and rescue teams for their prompt action in response to the disaster. Photo/courtesy
By Ruth sang
Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration Kipchumba Murkomen led a government delegation to Chesongoch in Marakwet East, Elgeyo Marakwet County, to console families affected by the recent landslide tragedy that claimed lives and displaced several households.
Murkomen was accompanied by his Cabinet colleagues Davis Chirchir (Energy and Petroleum) and Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku (Public Service) as he made the condolence visit in the company of the First Lady, Mama Rachel Ruto, on Saturday. The leaders condoled with the affected families and reassured them of the government’s commitment to ensuring both immediate relief and long-term mitigation measures.
Speaking during the visit, Murkomen said the government was fully aware of the devastation wrought by the landslides, which have become a recurring challenge in the hilly region. He called for concerted interventions to avert similar disasters in the future.
“With my Cabinet colleagues Davis Chirchir and Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku, and other leaders, we have accompanied the First Lady H.E. Mama Rachel Ruto on a visit to Chesongoch, Marakwet East, to condole with the families affected by the recent landslide disaster,” Murkomen said. “We are assessing the immediate needs of the victims and will deliberate on long-term solutions to address the recurring landslide incidents in the region.”
The visit comes days after heavy rains caused mudslides and flash flooding in parts of Elgeyo Marakwet County, leaving destruction in their wake. Dozens of homes were swept away, roads rendered impassable, and families forced to seek shelter in temporary camps.
Murkomen assured the residents that the government, through the Ministry of Transport and other relevant agencies, would give priority to infrastructure rehabilitation in the affected areas. “We are working to restore roads and bridges that were damaged by the landslides to ensure that emergency aid and essential supplies can reach those in need,” he added.
Mrs. Ruto led the humanitarian mission, delivering food, clothes, and other essential items to affected families, while hailing local leaders and rescue teams for their prompt action in response to the disaster. She called for a collective effort towards environmental conservation to stop the frequent landslides in the region.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said his ministry would work with local authorities to repair power lines destroyed by the landslide. Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku urged residents, for their part, to cooperate with all government agencies during the resettlement and recovery process.
Local leaders who attended the event thanked the national government for its timely intervention and appealed for sustained disaster management efforts. The government’s multi-agency team is likely to stay in the area for the next few days to finalize an assessment report and come up with a comprehensive plan for long-term disaster mitigation in the Kerio Valley region.
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