The government has confirmed that 22 people have died and 29 others remain missing following a devastating mudslide that struck parts of Marakwet East Constituency in Elgeyo Marakwet County early Saturday morning.
The tragedy, triggered by heavy rains, has left dozens injured and displaced several families.
Addressing the nation at the Eldoret Airstrip on Sunday morning, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said multi-agency teams have been deployed to lead ongoing rescue and recovery operations.
“The Government expresses its deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones. We share in your grief and stand with you during this painful time,” he said.
In the latest update, Mwaura said 22 bodies have been retrieved and evacuated to Eldoret, with 16 taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) and others to nearby facilities.
Twenty-one survivors including 14 adults and seven children are currently receiving treatment at MTRH. Two additional patients were airlifted to the hospital on Sunday morning.
The government has pledged to continue search efforts for the missing persons and ensure that all affected families receive the necessary support.
“We are committed to leaving no one behind and ensuring all affected individuals rebuild their lives,” the statement read.
A multi-agency rescue operation is underway, involving personnel from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Public Service and Special Programmes, the Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service, National Youth Service, National Disaster Operations Centre, Kenya Red Cross Society, and local county governments.
The Kenya Defence Forces have deployed four helicopters and a fixed-wing aircraft for rescue missions, along with disaster response specialists and medical teams.
The Kenya Red Cross has provided drones and GIS mapping technology to assess the damage, distributed food and non-food items to 100 households, and established tracing desks to reunite families. The organisation also plans to assist up to 500 affected households.
The County Governments of Elgeyo Marakwet and Uasin Gishu have supplied medical personnel, road-clearing machinery, ambulances, and relief items, while the State Department of Special Programmes has distributed 600 bags of rice, 520 bags of beans, 1,000 blankets, 300 mattresses, and other essentials to displaced families.
The Ministry of Education has assured that national examinations will proceed as planned, with special arrangements made for affected learners. Exams will be airlifted to affected schools, and one injured student will sit for their papers from the hospital.
Mwaura appealed to residents in flood-prone areas to move to safer grounds, warning that more rainfall is expected.
“The Government of Kenya assures the people of Elgeyo Marakwet and all Kenyans that we are fully mobilized to address this tragedy,” he said, expressing optimism that the nation would overcome the calamity through unity and patriotism.
The disaster occurred as the country experiences the onset of the short rains, which have caused widespread flooding in several regions.
