A powerful landslide struck Kenya’s western Rift Valley on Saturday, killing at least 21 people and leaving more than 30 missing. Continuous heavy rains triggered the disaster, which buried homes and forced hundreds to flee for safety. Officials confirmed that search and rescue teams remain on the ground, racing to find survivors.
The mudslide swept through the hilly region of Chesongoch in Elgeyo Marakwet County, destroying over 1,000 homes. Days of relentless rainfall during Kenya’s short rain season saturated the slopes, setting off the deadly collapse.
Survivors Recount the Night of Destruction
Residents described hearing a thunderous roar before mud and debris engulfed their community. “We heard a loud sound and ran out in panic,” one local said. Families scattered in every direction as the ground gave way beneath their homes.
Rescue teams continued working through heavy downpours, digging through wreckage and collapsed structures to locate missing residents. The government deployed helicopters to airlift 30 severely injured survivors to a hospital in Eldoret City. Several roads remain blocked, isolating nearby villages and delaying the delivery of aid.
Government Plans Relocation for Affected Families
The Interior Minister, Kipchumba Murkomen, announced that officials are identifying safe areas to resettle displaced families. He assured that the government will provide emergency relief and long-term housing solutions.
Chesongoch has a history of deadly landslides and floods. Past disasters in 2010 and 2012 killed dozens, and in 2020, raging waters swept away an entire shopping center. Despite repeated warnings, deforestation and poor drainage continue to heighten the area’s vulnerability.
Authorities urged residents to stay alert as rainfall persists, warning that further landslides remain possible in the unstable terrain.
