In disbelief and horrified, residents of Chesongoch watched the victim’s being airlifted to safer grounds and those badly injured taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH)
This was in the aftermath of a landslide which ravaged the area leaving more than 1,400 people stranded not knowing where to go, 30 people missing and 21 people confirmed dead.
In the recent past Kenya meteorological department had cautioned Kenyans to be aware of heavy rainfall in most parts of the country.
Most of the regions are experiencing flash floods, deadly landslides, impassable road displacements which have led to lack of access to basics such as food, clothing and health care.
Elgeyo Marakwet, in Chesongoch village tops the list of the regions adversely affected by the rains. November 1, 2025, A huge landslide attributed to heavy downpour, which impounded the area overnight has left hundreds of people homeless, dead and others nursing injuries.
Residents of Moror Village and Chesongoch Centre in Elgeyo Marakwet were in the early hours of Saturday morning treated to a rare scene. A landslide in which at least 21 residents died while many others sustained injuries.
The County government through the deputy Governor Wesley Rotich in collaboration with the national government led by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen mobilized ambulances and medical personnel from across to respond to the tragedy
According to the Ministry of Interior, other than those who have been confirmed dead, 25 people are injured and 30 more remain unaccounted for.
CS Murkomen who visited the area confirmed that the national government has deployed police and military helicopters carrying medical personnel to assist in ongoing search and rescue efforts with most of those who sustained injuries being airlifted to seek medical attention at the MTRH.
On the other hand, the Kenya Red Cross activated it’s teams to assess the situation, carried out rescue operations, and provided support to affected families.
“We are working with the County Government and non-state actors to respond to this unfortunate incident and provide the necessary support to the affected families,” said Murkomen
Efforts are underway to restore the destroyed road network to facilitate movement and access for emergency and relief operations,” he added
Previously, the area has experienced similar disasters in the past since 2010, 2012, 2020 leaving dozens dead, most with scars and homeless.
This is often attributed to intense land use without targeted soil conservation measures, leaving the terrain vulnerable to erosion and landslides during extreme weather events.
Last year May two people from Tuturung Village, Marakwet East Sub-County, died as a result of the heavy downpour in the dead night.
With the military rescue preparation expected to resume today on Sunday plans to supply more food and non-food relief items to the victims is underway.
“Military and police choppers are on standby to transport the items,” Murkomen added.
A resident of the Chesongoch area, Stephen Kittony said heard a blasting sound and, together with his children, rushed out of his house and ran in different directions.
” I told my children to save themselves and if we meet again then better, if anyone of us would not make it then, we will meet after death,” he said
The normal Access to some of the affected areas by road remains extremely difficult due to flooding and blocked routes by the mudslides and floodings which had rendered most of bridges dangerously impassable
Kenya Red Cross teams in collaboration with the National and County Governments, are coordinating rescue and relief efforts, including air lifting.
