Kenya Power Joins Rescue Efforts in Chesongoch as More Bodies Recovered from Deadly Landslide
The Kenya Red Cross remain on the ground, supporting recovery efforts and offering psychosocial support to the affected families.
The Elgeyo Marakwet County government has also established a temporary command center that coordinates rescue and relief work, with the assurance that the displaced families will receive immediate humanitarian aid in food, medical attention, and shelter. Photo/courtesy.
By Ruth Sang
The search and rescue operation in Chesongoch, Elgeyo Marakwet County, entered the third day on Monday as authorities confirmed the recovery of three more bodies following a landslide that occurred last week and claimed several lives.
Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich said rescue operations have been intensified with the addition of more personnel and specialized teams to help locate missing persons and support affected families.
“Day three of the search, and we have recovered three more bodies today from this unfortunate incident at Chesongoch,” confirmed Governor Rotich. “We continue to condole with the families who have lost their loved ones.”
The governor noted that the Kenya Power team had arrived at Queen of Peace in Chesongoch to help restore electricity to the affected area after power lines were destroyed by the landslide. “Kenya Power has already landed at Queen of Peace Chesongoch to restore power connection along the affected area,” he said.
Governor Rotich further announced that the current operation has been heavily boosted by various teams, including the Kenya Defence Forces KDF Dog Unit, 100 National Youth Service personnel, and 1,000 local youth who have come forward to help in the search and recovery mission.
“We have received extra support from the KDF Dog Unit, 100 NYS service personnel, and 1,000 youths from the area who have joined hands in this operation,” he said.
Rotich thanked all agencies and residents for their cooperation and resilience in the face of the tragedy, calling upon those living in landslide-prone areas to be vigilant amidst the heavy rains pounding parts of the Kerio Valley region.
= has also established a temporary command center that coordinates rescue and relief work, with the assurance that the displaced families will receive immediate humanitarian aid in food, medical attention, and shelter.
Local leaders and humanitarian organizations like the Kenya Red Cross remain on the ground, supporting recovery efforts and offering psychosocial support to the affected families.
Governor Rotich repeated that his administration was committed to supporting all the victims and taking long-term measures to mitigate such disasters in the future: “This is a painful moment for our people, but together we shall rise again,” he said. Search crews are likely to carry on with their work throughout the week, as the total number of missing people is not certain, in hope that more survivors could be found.
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