At least 26 people have died and 25 others are missing after a catastrophic landslide swept through Chesongoch in Elgeyo-Marakwet County over the weekend, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has said.
The death toll rose after more bodies were found buried in the debris. Twenty-six survivors are hospitalised.
Government agencies and humanitarian teams have launched a large-scale rescue and relief operation in the area.
There is a trail of destruction in the affected villages in Marakwet East. Hundreds of people have been displaced, amid fears of further mudslides.
Rescue operations entered the second day yesterday as responders battled to reach survivors who have been cut off access roads in the hilly region.
The government has deployed National Youth Service (NYS) personnel, helicopters, and heavy machinery to support the rescue efforts.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku directed 100 NYS officers to join the rescue mission.
“Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, with the death toll now standing at 26 following the recovery of more bodies today,” CS Murkomen, who led the response efforts yesterday, said in a late evening update.
Mr Murkomen said that Endo Ward bore the brunt of the tragedy, with 19 of the dead coming from the area. Embobut/Embolot Ward recorded five deaths, while Sambirir Ward lost two people.
The government has also stepped in to support students affected by the disaster. At least 15 schools have become inaccessible, prompting the Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) to make arrangements to airlift examination papers to the affected institutions.
Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura said yesterday that this will minimise disruptions in the national examination calendar.
The government also dispatched food and non-food supplies from the Ministry of Special Programmes and well-wishers to the affected families.
The relief consignment included 600 bags of rice, 520 bags of beans, 1,000 blankets, 300 mattresses, 30 boxes of soap, and 10 bales of sanitary towels.
“To the people who are making inquiries on how they can support the victims, the County Government of Elgeyo-Marakwet is working on a framework for channelling the contributions from the public and organisations,” CS Murkomen said.
He also said that military and police helicopters will remain in the area to handle any emergencies.
“My colleagues, the CS for Roads and Transport, Davis Chirchir, is fast-tracking the release of emergency funds to restore roads damaged in the landslide, while the Energy CS, Opiyo Wandayi, will deploy a team to restore electricity,” he said.
Mr Murkomen, Mr Ruku, governors Wisley Rotich (Elgeyo-Marakwet), Stephen Sang (Nandi), and Jonathan Bii (Uasin Gishu); MPs Kangogo Bowen (Marakwet East) and Adams Kipsanai (Keiyo North) as well as Principal Secretary for Special Programmes Ismail Maalim were at the scene of the tragedy yesterday.
“We are coming face to face with the devastation the tragedy left in its wake and racing against time to save lives and reassure a distraught community that we share in their pain,” CS Murkomen said.
He said that the government will foot hospital bills and funeral costs as well as help families to rebuild their lives.
CS Ruku said the deployment of NYS personnel and the procurement of heavy machinery demonstrate the government's commitment to responding to the disaster and supporting the affected communities.
“To facilitate the rescue efforts, the government has ordered heavy machinery, including excavators and graders, to help clear the debris and restore access to the affected area. Specifically, more excavators will be deployed to renovate the cut-off roads, ensuring that rescue teams and aid reach the affected areas without delay," he said.
Beyond mobilising food and non-food relief, the government has also deployed a team to offer psychosocial support to help affected families cope with the tragedy.
CS Ruku emphasised that the government will prioritise the safety and dignity of affected families in the resettlement process.
CS Murkomen lauded the multi-agency team led by the Ministry of Interior and the military for their swift and coordinated response to the landslide.
He praised the Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service, NGAOs, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, County Government of Elgeyo-Marakwet, National Disaster Operation Centre, Kenya Red Cross, and other non-state actors and members of the public for their interventions.
CS Ruku said the National Government will continue to spearhead humanitarian support in collaboration with the County Government of Elgeyo-Marakwet.
