Search and rescue operations entered their second day on Sunday following the devastating mudslide in Marakwet East, Elgeyo Marakwet County, that has so far claimed 22 lives and left 29 people missing.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said government-led rescue and humanitarian efforts were in full gear as teams raced against time to locate survivors and provide relief to those displaced.
“We have kicked off day two of the search and rescue of the victims of the Marakwet East landslide disaster,” Murkomen said in a statement.
“We have also flagged off food and non-food items from our Ministry, the State Department for Special Programmes and well-wishers, which have been airlifted to the people who were affected by the tragedy.”
The government has dispatched relief supplies including 600 bags of rice, 520 bags of beans, 1,000 blankets, 300 mattresses, 30 boxes of soap, and 10 bales of sanitary towels.
Murkomen added that the Elgeyo Marakwet County Government is developing a framework to guide how individuals, organisations, and well-wishers can channel contributions to assist the affected families.
Meanwhile, multi-agency search operations led by the Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Defence Forces, and the National Police Service continue across the disaster zone.
The Kenya Red Cross confirmed that drones have been deployed to assist in locating survivors and assessing the extent of damage in the hard-to-reach areas.
“Access to affected areas remains a challenge, though significant progress has been made,” the humanitarian agency said.
“Displaced families are currently hosted at Chesongoch Primary School. More injured people were airlifted today to Eldoret for treatment, and families in Chesongoch will receive food and shelter support.”
The mudslide, which occurred on Saturday morning, followed days of heavy rainfall that loosened soil along the escarpments of Marakwet East.
Entire homesteads were swept away, leaving trails of destruction and displacing dozens of households.
Authorities have urged residents in flood- and landslide-prone areas to remain vigilant and relocate to safer grounds as weather forecasts indicate continued heavy rains in the region.
The national and county governments, together with humanitarian partners, have assured affected families of continued support, including the provision of food, temporary shelter, and psychosocial services.
“The government is doing everything possible to ensure that no one is left behind,” Murkomen said, adding that the search will continue until all missing persons are accounted for.
Efforts to recover those unaccounted for and to rebuild the devastated community are ongoing as the region continues to grapple with the aftermath of one of its deadliest mudslides in recent years.
