Heavy Rain-Triggered Landslide in Kenya's Rift Valley Leaves Dozens Dead and Missing
A devastating landslide has struck Elgeyo-Marakwet County in western Kenya, claiming the lives of at least 21 people and leaving over 30 others missing. The tragedy occurred during a period of heavy rains, which have been battering the region for days.
Eyewitnesses describe a deafening sound followed by chaos as residents fled their homes and ran for safety. Local resident Stephen Kittony recounted his harrowing experience, saying he was forced to seek refuge with his children in different directions after hearing the sudden noise.
The landslide has left widespread destruction in its wake, with massive mudslides and flash flooding stretching over vast distances. The Kenya Red Cross has released aerial images that show the extent of the devastation, highlighting the need for urgent assistance.
Rescue efforts are currently underway, with help from the military and police. At least 25 people with serious injuries have been airlifted to Eldoret city for medical attention, while those still missing remain stranded in their homes.
Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for the Interior, Kipchumba Murkomen, has pledged that rescue operations will resume on Sunday, with a focus on providing food and non-food relief items to affected families. Military and police choppers are standing by to transport vital supplies.
The area of Chesongoch is notoriously prone to landslides, having experienced similar tragedies in the past. In 2020, a shopping centre was washed away by raging floods, highlighting the region's vulnerability to natural disasters.
As the death toll rises and more people remain missing, concerns are growing about the ability of rescue teams to reach all those affected. The Kenya Red Cross has emphasized that accessing some areas is becoming increasingly difficult due to severe flooding and blocked routes.
A devastating landslide has struck Elgeyo-Marakwet County in western Kenya, claiming the lives of at least 21 people and leaving over 30 others missing. The tragedy occurred during a period of heavy rains, which have been battering the region for days.
Eyewitnesses describe a deafening sound followed by chaos as residents fled their homes and ran for safety. Local resident Stephen Kittony recounted his harrowing experience, saying he was forced to seek refuge with his children in different directions after hearing the sudden noise.
The landslide has left widespread destruction in its wake, with massive mudslides and flash flooding stretching over vast distances. The Kenya Red Cross has released aerial images that show the extent of the devastation, highlighting the need for urgent assistance.
Rescue efforts are currently underway, with help from the military and police. At least 25 people with serious injuries have been airlifted to Eldoret city for medical attention, while those still missing remain stranded in their homes.
Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for the Interior, Kipchumba Murkomen, has pledged that rescue operations will resume on Sunday, with a focus on providing food and non-food relief items to affected families. Military and police choppers are standing by to transport vital supplies.
The area of Chesongoch is notoriously prone to landslides, having experienced similar tragedies in the past. In 2020, a shopping centre was washed away by raging floods, highlighting the region's vulnerability to natural disasters.
As the death toll rises and more people remain missing, concerns are growing about the ability of rescue teams to reach all those affected. The Kenya Red Cross has emphasized that accessing some areas is becoming increasingly difficult due to severe flooding and blocked routes.
this is just getting worse and worse for kenya! 21+ dead already? and it's not even over yet? 
the government needs to step up their game here, pronto! 
how can they guarantee rescue teams can reach all those stuck in the affected areas when the floodwaters are so severe? 
this is just a huge mess and it's only going to get worse before it gets better. what's with the delays and lack of preparedness? 
we need more resources being thrown at this ASAP, not just food and non-food relief items... what about medical supplies and equipment?! 
This news is just heartbreaking 
. I mean, 21 lives lost already? It's like, so not fair 
. And the fact that there are over 30 people still missing is just terrifying 
. It's clear that the rescue efforts are really needed ASAP 
. I hope the government can get things sorted out and provide all the necessary support to the families affected 
. And honestly, it's just another reminder of how important early warning systems and disaster preparedness are 
. We should all be doing more to help prevent these types of tragedies from happening in the future 
. #SupportKenya #RescueEffortsMatter #LandslideRelief
. I hope the rescue efforts are going well & that those still missing get found soon 
. 21 deaths is already too many, let's all send our thoughts & prayers to the affected families 
. And yeah, it's crazy how some areas are prone to landslides, it's like nature just isn't kind sometimes 
.
. The fact that people have to flee their homes in the middle of the night because of a loud noise is just heartbreaking 
.
. Can't they just send in more choppers or something? And what about the military and police? They're not doing enough, if you ask me 
.
. It sounds like a whole lot of empty promises to me. I just hope they can get this situation under control ASAP before more people die 
.
. I know Chesongoch is prone to landslides, so you can't say this was unexpected... still, the lack of info on rescue efforts makes me nervous 
. And now there's more landslides & flooding... it's like a nightmare that won't end 
. The rescue teams are trying their best, but it's getting harder due to the heavy rain & blocked roads 
and that shopping centre washed away in 2020, it's like the region's just being punished with natural disasters one after another 
, the photos of the destruction & people struggling to survive are just heart-wrenching 
& get the help they need 
, theyre just makin' up numbers 21 dead?! i was in kenya last year and didnt see nothin like this... them military choppers are probly bein used for somethin else, not just to help the poor ppl affected by landslide... and what about the "notoriously prone to landslides" part? that sounds like theyre tryin to make it sound like its all kenya's fault 
maybe they're just tryin to distract us from somethin else goin on...