Elgeyo Marakwet, Kenya — The death toll from the devastating landslides that struck western Kenya over the weekend has risen to at least 26 people, according to government and local reports. The disaster occurred after heavy rains triggered mudslides and flash floods across hilly areas of Elgeyo Marakwet County, sweeping away homes and farmland.
Authorities say several people are still missing, while dozens have been injured or displaced. The Kenyan Red Cross, the National Youth Service, and the Kenya Defence Forces have been deployed to assist in ongoing search, rescue, and evacuation operations.
According to Elgeyo Marakwet County Commissioner John Korir, rescue teams are facing challenges accessing affected areas due to impassable roads and continued rainfall. “Our teams are working around the clock despite poor terrain and heavy mud that has slowed movement,” Korir said during a media briefing on Sunday.
The Ministry of Interior has urged residents in high-risk zones to move to safer ground as weather forecasts predict continued rainfall in parts of the Rift Valley and western Kenya. Temporary shelters have been established in schools and churches to accommodate displaced families, while humanitarian organizations are providing food, blankets, and medical assistance.
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President William Ruto has sent condolences to affected families and directed the National Disaster Management Unit to coordinate relief efforts. “The government will support the victims and ensure reconstruction of damaged infrastructure begins immediately,” the President said in a statement.
Meteorologists have attributed the extreme weather to ongoing heavy rainfall linked to the El Niño phenomenon, which has intensified since October. Experts warn that saturated soil in Kenya’s highland regions increases the risk of further landslides and flooding.
The Kenya Meteorological Department has maintained alerts across Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, and Baringo counties, advising residents to stay vigilant and avoid crossing swollen rivers.
As emergency operations continue, focus has now shifted to rebuilding and improving early-warning systems to mitigate future disasters. Authorities have called for tighter enforcement of land-use policies and better drainage infrastructure in landslide-prone regions.
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