Elgeyo Marakwet, Kenya — At least 15 people have been confirmed dead and 30 others are still missing following a devastating landslide that struck Marakwet East after days of intense rainfall. The tragedy has left families mourning and rescue teams racing against time to locate survivors in the debris.
In a statement released on Saturday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed the fatalities and said that 25 injured individuals had been rescued and evacuated to nearby hospitals for emergency medical treatment. He added that a multi-agency rescue operation involving the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), National Police Service, county officials, and humanitarian organizations was ongoing in the affected area.
The Interior CS also announced that families living in high-risk zones had been relocated to safer grounds as a precaution against further landslides. In addition, a help desk has been established for families to report missing persons and receive updates on the ongoing recovery efforts.
The landslide, which occurred late Friday night, followed several days of torrential rainfall that have wreaked havoc across multiple counties in Kenya. The heavy downpours have triggered flash floods, landslides, and widespread displacement, especially in the Rift Valley and Western Kenya regions.
Early reports from local authorities indicate that entire homesteads were swept away by the mud and debris, with some roads rendered impassable due to flooding and rockslides. Emergency response teams faced challenges accessing the affected villages because of damaged infrastructure and unstable terrain.
The government has since deployed heavy machinery and rescue personnel to assist with clearing debris and restoring access to remote areas. Humanitarian agencies, including the Kenya Red Cross Society, have also been dispatched to provide food, water, and temporary shelter to displaced families.
Weather experts have warned that the region remains vulnerable to further landslides and flooding as heavy rains continue across the country. The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for several counties, warning that saturated soils and deforestation have increased the risk of ground movement in hilly and mountainous areas such as Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, and Kericho.
Meanwhile, the national government has pledged to support recovery and rebuilding efforts, promising emergency funds to help affected families rebuild their homes and restore livelihoods. Local leaders have called for long-term disaster preparedness measures, including better early-warning systems and strict enforcement of settlement restrictions in high-risk zones.
The Marakwet East disaster adds to the growing toll of weather-related incidents in Kenya this year. In recent months, heavy rains linked to climate change and El Niño patterns have displaced thousands, destroyed crops, and claimed lives in various regions. Environmental experts are now urging authorities to prioritize climate resilience projects, including afforestation and improved drainage infrastructure, to mitigate future risks.
As rescue operations continue, families in Marakwet East remain hopeful that their missing loved ones will be found. Authorities have appealed for calm and patience as emergency teams comb through the debris, emphasizing that the full scale of the disaster will only become clear once all areas are accessible.
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of Kenya’s vulnerability to extreme weather events and the urgent need for preparedness in the face of intensifying rainfall patterns.
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