Victims of the devastating Elgeyo Marakwet landslides are undergoing treatment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) as search and rescue teams continue to comb through debris for people still trapped. The disaster, which struck Chesongoch area at night, has so far claimed 30 lives, with 19 individuals still missing.
Among the survivors is Margaret Kiptoo, who recounted the terrifying moments she experienced with her disabled son, who remains unaccounted for.
“I heard some sounds and stepped outside to check. I thought it was just water flowing down the river, so I went back to sleep. Then rocks fell on me, and I couldn’t see my child. Shortly after, my mouth was filled with mud and water,” she narrated emotionally.
Another survivor, 89-year-old Gabriel Yego, said the landslide struck while most residents were asleep, catching everyone off guard.
“It was the first time I had seen such a thing. The water was too much it swept many people away,” Yego recalled.
Other survivors described running over rock-strewn terrain in darkness, struggling to outrun the fast-moving torrents of water and debris.
Leaders, including Uasin Gishu MP Gladys Boss Shollei, and former legislators Jackson Kiptanui and Linah Kilimo, have called for long-term measures to mitigate the recurring threat of landslides and enhance disaster preparedness in the region.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing in Chesongoch, though efforts are hampered by impassable roads and blocked access routes. The government has deployed aerial support to assist with evacuation, medical aid, and relief distribution.
The Ministry of Interior has issued a warning that heavy rains are expected to persist across several parts of the country, heightening the risk of floods and landslides, particularly in hilly and riverine areas.
A multi-agency response team comprising the National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs), National Police Service, Kenya Red Cross, and other humanitarian partners is leading ongoing rescue and relief operations in the affected areas.
