At least 20 people are feared dead following a massive landslide that struck parts of Marakwet East in Elgeyo Marakwet County overnight, officials say. The disaster, triggered by hours of torrential rainfall, has destroyed homes, roads, and farmlands, cutting off entire villages and leaving many residents trapped.
The most affected areas are Endo, Sambirir, and Embobut Wards, where flash floods and collapsing hillsides swept through settlements in the early hours of Saturday morning. Local authorities and rescue teams have described the situation as “dire,” with ongoing heavy rains complicating search and rescue operations.
Government Response
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen expressed his condolences to the victims’ families, saying the government had mobilised a full-scale emergency response.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Endo, Sambirir, and Embobut Wards in Marakwet East Constituency following the devastating landslide that has led to the loss of lives and property, as well as the destruction of infrastructure, including the road network,” Murkomen said.
He confirmed that police and military helicopters carrying medical personnel and Red Cross teams had been dispatched to support ongoing rescue efforts. The government, he added, was working closely with the Elgeyo Marakwet County administration and humanitarian agencies to provide assistance and restore damaged road networks.
Efforts are also underway to reopen critical access routes that were cut off when several rivers burst their banks, leaving remote communities unreachable by road.
Eyewitness Accounts and Local Reactions
Residents of Korou, Chesongoch, and Kabetwa villages described scenes of chaos as mud and floodwaters surged through their homes shortly after midnight. Some reported hearing “a roaring sound” before their houses were buried under soil and debris.
Local leaders have called for urgent help. Senator Samson Cherargei sent his condolences to those affected, saying, “Poleni sana people of Marakwet East constituency for the unfortunate massive landslide that has claimed lives, destroyed land, roads, and property during the ongoing rains. My deepest condolences to the families that have lost loved ones. You are in our prayers during these tragic moments.”
Community members say rescue teams have been overwhelmed due to poor access and communication challenges. Dozens of families remain unaccounted for, and fears are growing that the death toll could rise as search operations continue.
Rising Human Toll
Preliminary reports from local authorities indicate that at least 17 bodies have already been recovered, though the number of missing persons remains unclear. Several people have been airlifted to nearby hospitals in critical condition.
The Kenya Red Cross said it had deployed emergency teams to assist with search, rescue, and medical care. “Our teams are working with security and county personnel to evacuate survivors and deliver supplies to the displaced,” an official said.
Residents have been urged to relocate to higher ground as the region continues to experience heavy rainfall. Emergency shelters have been set up in safer areas to accommodate displaced families.
A Region Prone to Landslides
Marakwet East lies along the steep Elgeyo Escarpment in Kenya’s Rift Valley region, an area that frequently experiences landslides during the rainy season. Experts say deforestation, poor land management, and increasing rainfall intensity linked to climate change have made the region highly vulnerable to such disasters.
Geologists warn that waterlogged soils on the escarpment weaken easily, causing slopes to collapse when saturated. The Kenya Meteorological Department had issued earlier warnings of heavy rainfall in the area, cautioning residents about possible landslides and flash floods.
This is not the first time Elgeyo Marakwet has been hit by deadly slides. Previous incidents have caused fatalities, displacement, and destruction of farmland, prompting calls for better disaster preparedness and early warning systems.
Roads Destroyed, Villages Cut Off
Access to the affected zones remains a major challenge. Roads leading to Chesongoch, Kabetwa, and Embobut have been washed away or blocked by mud, leaving ground rescue teams unable to reach several isolated villages.
Local administrators say that helicopters are currently the only viable means of transportation for rescue workers and emergency supplies. Several schools and health centres in the affected wards have also been damaged, raising fears of further hardship for residents who rely on them for essential services.
County officials are appealing for additional resources, including food, medicine, tents, and rescue equipment. They have also asked for heavy machinery to help clear debris and reopen blocked roads.
Emotional Toll on Survivors
For many survivors, the tragedy has left a deep emotional scar. Families have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods in an instant. Some have been forced to spend the night in the cold after their homes were destroyed.
One resident, whose house was swept away in the night, told reporters: “I heard the ground rumbling, and within minutes, everything was gone. We barely escaped with our lives. My neighbour’s family is missing.”
Health workers deployed to the area say many survivors are suffering from shock, injuries, and exposure to the cold weather. Psychosocial support services have been requested to help victims cope with trauma.
Calls for Long-Term Solutions
As the rescue operation continues, experts and local leaders are urging the government to take long-term measures to prevent a recurrence of such disasters. They are calling for stricter land-use regulations, reforestation programmes, and the construction of proper drainage systems in high-risk areas.
Environmental experts also want the government to prioritise community education and establish early-warning systems using rainfall and soil monitoring technologies.
“The increasing frequency of these landslides is a clear signal of changing climatic patterns,” one environmental scientist said. “We need a comprehensive national strategy that integrates disaster preparedness into development planning.”
National Mourning and Support
Messages of condolence have poured in from across the country as Kenyans express solidarity with those affected. Many have taken to social media to offer prayers and donations to help survivors rebuild their lives.
Interior CS Murkomen urged calm and unity as the nation confronts the tragedy. “We are doing everything possible to ensure that every affected person is assisted,” he said. “Our security agencies, health workers, and the Red Cross are working around the clock.”
The national government has also pledged financial support to the county administration to assist with relief and recovery efforts. Humanitarian agencies have begun mobilising food, clothing, and temporary shelter for displaced families.
Continuing Threat
Meteorologists warn that heavy rainfall is expected to persist in the region over the coming days, heightening the risk of further flooding and landslides. Authorities have advised residents living on or near steep slopes to relocate temporarily until weather conditions improve.
Rescue operations are expected to continue throughout the weekend, with helicopters and emergency teams searching for those still missing. Officials have not yet provided a final figure on the number of casualties.
Conclusion
The Marakwet East landslide has laid bare the destructive power of nature and the vulnerability of Kenya’s mountainous regions during the rainy season. As families mourn and search teams continue their work, the government faces renewed pressure to strengthen disaster preparedness and invest in climate resilience.
For the people of Endo, Sambirir, and Embobut, the road to recovery will be long and painful. Yet amid the grief, the spirit of solidarity and community support continues to shine through, offering a glimmer of hope in one of Kenya’s darkest hours.
