A powerful landslide struck Kenya’s western Rift Valley on Saturday, killing at least 21 people and leaving more than 30 missing. Days of relentless rainfall triggered the disaster in the hilly region of Chesongoch, Elgeyo Marakwet County. Authorities confirmed that more than 1,000 homes have been destroyed as torrents of mud swept through the community.
Heavy rains, part of Kenya’s short rainy season, caused widespread destruction across the region. Roads collapsed under flooding, isolating several villages and forcing emergency crews to rely on helicopters to reach survivors.
Rescue Teams Battle Rain and Wreckage
Rescue workers continued digging through debris late into Saturday despite ongoing downpours. Disaster response teams and local volunteers searched collapsed homes for survivors and bodies. The government airlifted 30 seriously injured people to Eldoret City for urgent treatment.
Residents described hearing a thunderous roar before the hillside gave way. Many ran from their homes in panic as waves of mud and debris swallowed buildings. Authorities warned that persistent rainfall could trigger more landslides in the area.
Government Plans Relocation for Survivors
Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen announced that the government will relocate displaced families to safer ground. Officials are assessing potential settlement sites to protect survivors from future disasters.
Chesongoch has suffered repeated tragedies from unstable terrain. Landslides in 2010 and 2012 killed dozens, while floods in 2020 washed away a shopping centre. The latest catastrophe underscores the region’s ongoing vulnerability and the urgent need for long-term safety measures.
