The Kenyan government has confirmed that 21 people have died following a landslide in the western part of the country after heavy rainfall. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said the bodies had been transferred to a nearby airstrip after the landslide in Marakwet East late on Friday night. He stated on X that more than 30 people were still unaccounted for after being reported missing by their families, while 25 people with serious injuries had been airlifted to receive further medical attention.
The Kenyan Red Cross, which is helping to coordinate rescue efforts, indicated that the most affected areas are still not accessible by road due to mudslides and flash flooding. The Kenyan government paused the search and rescue operation on Saturday evening but announced it would resume on Sunday. Preparation to supply more food and non-food relief items to the victims is underway, Murkomen stated, adding that military and police choppers are on standby to transport the supplies.
Kenya is currently experiencing its second rainy season, characterized by a few weeks of rainfall compared to the heavier, prolonged periods seen earlier in the year. The government has urged individuals living near seasonal rivers and areas that experienced landslides to relocate to safer grounds.
In a related incident, flash flooding and landslides in Uganda, near the border with Kenya, have resulted in fatalities since last Wednesday. The Uganda Red Cross reported another mudslide in Kapsomo village, which destroyed a house and claimed four lives. Continuous heavy rainfall has led to the overflowing of the River Astiri and the River Sipi, causing significant damage to homes and community infrastructure.
The Kenyan Red Cross, which is helping to coordinate rescue efforts, indicated that the most affected areas are still not accessible by road due to mudslides and flash flooding. The Kenyan government paused the search and rescue operation on Saturday evening but announced it would resume on Sunday. Preparation to supply more food and non-food relief items to the victims is underway, Murkomen stated, adding that military and police choppers are on standby to transport the supplies.
Kenya is currently experiencing its second rainy season, characterized by a few weeks of rainfall compared to the heavier, prolonged periods seen earlier in the year. The government has urged individuals living near seasonal rivers and areas that experienced landslides to relocate to safer grounds.
In a related incident, flash flooding and landslides in Uganda, near the border with Kenya, have resulted in fatalities since last Wednesday. The Uganda Red Cross reported another mudslide in Kapsomo village, which destroyed a house and claimed four lives. Continuous heavy rainfall has led to the overflowing of the River Astiri and the River Sipi, causing significant damage to homes and community infrastructure.
