By NECJOGHA Reporter
Heavy rains on November 1, 2025, triggered a massive landslide in Elgeyo Marakwet County’s Marakwet East constituency, killing 21 people and leaving over 30 missing in areas like Chesongoch and Moror Village.
Rescue teams, including the military and Kenya Red Cross, evacuated 25 injured to Eldoret hospitals using helicopters amid collapsed roads and raging rivers. Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen coordinated multi-agency efforts, pausing searches at nightfall due to ongoing bad weather, as President William Ruto offered government support.
Heavy rains inundated the Marakwet East constituency, damaging the road network. The interior minister said at least 30 more were still missing, as authorities suspended the search operation for the day.
Heavy rains struck western Kenya this weekend, causing a landslide late on Friday that has killed at least 21 people.
Kenyan Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said on Saturday that some 30 more were reported missing by their families in the tragedy that struck the Marakwet East county.
Search and rescue operations were paused for the night, with authorities vowing to restart the search on Sunday morning.
What do we know about the Kenya landslide?
Some 25 people were seriously injured due to the landslide, Murkomen said on X. They were airlifted to the western city of Eldoret, where they would receive medical care. Others with minor injuries were treated locally, the minister added.
The landslide also destroyed infrastructure, including the road network, which further complicated rescue efforts.
Military and police helicopters were dispatched to the affected region to assist with the search-and-rescue mission. Murkomen said authorities were making arrangements to provide relief items to the victims and restore the road network.
“I urge people living near seasonal rivers and areas that experienced landslides last night to move to safer grounds,” Murkomen wrote.
Heavy floods have struck Kenya multiple times in recent years, causing hundreds of deaths and significant destruction. Scientists blame climate change for such frequent extreme weather events.
Following heavy overnight rains that triggered a landslide and flash floods in Chesongoch, Kenya Red Cross teams, working with the National and County Governments, are conducting air evacuations for those injured.
