The government has assured residents of Chesongoch in Elgeyo Marakwet County that all victims of last week’s deadly landslide will receive timely compensation and permanent resettlement, marking the beginning of a coordinated recovery plan to restore livelihoods and ensure no family is left behind.
Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the State was keen on preventing a repeat of past delays that have left victims of disasters waiting for years without assistance.
Speaking during a visit to the area alongside First Lady Rachel Ruto, Murkomen said the government had set clear timelines for relief, compensation, and reconstruction efforts.
“Following the directive from the President, we do not want this process to drag on indefinitely. Within a month or two, we will finalize all procedures, close the accounts, and ensure that every victim is properly compensated and resettled,” Murkomen said on Saturday.
He added that the government would involve county officials, elected leaders, and community representatives to ensure that the exercise is carried out transparently and that only genuine victims benefit from the program.
“We will work hand in hand with local authorities and elected leaders to ensure that the compensation and resettlement of victims is free and fair,” he said.
Murkomen also warned against individuals seeking to exploit the tragedy for personal gain, saying firm action would be taken against anyone attempting to file false claims or interfere with the process.
The First Lady, Rachel Ruto, who visited the disaster site and met affected families, expressed her sympathy, noting that the tragedy was deeply painful but assured victims of ongoing support from both the national and county governments.
“What happened was unfortunate. The government will continue supporting you not only today but also in the days to come to ensure such an incident does not happen again,” she said.
During the visit, the government distributed essential supplies to families who lost homes and property in the landslide. The relief items included 600 bags of rice, 520 bags of beans, 8,000 iron sheets, 2,000 blankets, 1,000 mattresses, and other basic necessities to support recovery.
The First Lady was accompanied by Cabinet Secretaries Geoffrey Ruku and Davis Chirchir, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wesley Korir, and Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, who pledged continued collaboration to ensure victims rebuild safely and sustainably.
