Landslide in western Kenya leaves 21 people dead, 30 others missing
Heavy rains triggered landslides killing at least 13 and leaving over 30 missing in Kenya’s Rift Valley, with rescue efforts hampered by blocked roads and damaged infrastructure.
- At least 21 people died when heavy overnight rains triggered a landslide in western Kenya’s Rift Valley, destroying more than 1,000 homes in Chesongoch, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
- The short rains season and intense downpours caused the collapse as heavy rains pounded Chesongoch, Marakwet East last night, with scientists saying climate change triggers such extreme weather.
- Rescue teams reported that 19 people were rescued and at least 30 missing, while some 25 seriously injured were airlifted to Eldoret and military and police helicopters were deployed.
- The government paused searches Saturday evening and vowed to restart on Sunday as blocked roads and boulders hamper access; Kipchumba Murkomen, Interior Minister, said `Preparation to supply more food and non-food relief items to the victims is underway`.
- Last year’s worst mudslide killed 61 people, underscoring recurring risk; neighbouring Uganda has reported deadly mudslides and floods since last Wednesday.
At least 21 people have died and 31 are missing in western Kenya after a landslide triggered by heavy rains on Friday (31/10), the interior minister said today.
“We have suspended search and rescue operations for today,” but they will resume tomorrow, Sunday, Kipchuba Murkomen wrote on the X platform.
The minister asked “citizens living near rivers that have seasonal flow and in areas affected by landslides last night to go to safer places.”
In addition to the 21 dead and 30 people reported missing, Murkomen said 25 people were seriously injured and airlifted to the western Kenyan city of Eldoret.
The Kenya Red Cross released aerial photos of the area showing large landslides. It said it was coordinating rescue efforts with the government, including airlifting the injured.
“Access to some of the affected areas remains extremely difficult due to flooding and blocked roads,” he wrote in a statement to X.
Last year, the rainy season, which was exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon, had deadly consequences in Kenya, but also in its neighboring countries, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Uganda.
