A powerful landslide struck Kenya’s western Rift Valley on Saturday, killing at least 21 people and leaving over 30 missing. Continuous heavy rains triggered the disaster, destroying more than 1,000 homes in the hilly Chesongoch area of Elgeyo Marakwet County. Authorities confirmed that search and rescue operations remain active despite ongoing downpours.
Residents described hearing a thunderous roar before mud and debris swept through their homes. Many fled in panic, running through the dark as floods tore through the settlement.
Rescue Teams Battle Rain and Rubble
The government deployed emergency teams to search for survivors trapped under collapsed houses. Despite relentless rainfall, rescuers worked late into Saturday, digging through thick mud and wreckage. The government airlifted 30 severely injured survivors to a hospital in Eldoret City for treatment.
Several roads remain impassable after flooding and mudslides cut off key routes in the region. Disaster agencies warned that continued rainfall could trigger more slides in the coming days.
Government Plans Relief for Displaced Families
Kenya’s Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen announced plans to relocate affected families to safer areas. He said officials are identifying new settlement zones for survivors who lost their homes.
Chesongoch has suffered repeated tragedies from extreme weather. Landslides in 2010 and 2012 killed dozens, and floods in 2020 destroyed a shopping centre. The latest disaster highlights the urgent need for stronger safety measures in Kenya’s most vulnerable regions.
