At least two people have been confirmed dead and three others injured after a rockfall struck the Kibendo area of Keiyo North in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said.
The incident occurred early on November 3, the morning following heavy rainfall in the Kerio Valley region, which has increased the risk of landslides and rockfalls across several parts of the country.
Murkomen, who issued a statement on the tragedy, expressed condolences to the affected families and urged residents to remain vigilant.
“As heavy rainfall continues to be experienced across several parts of the country, the risk of landslides, especially along the Kerio Valley region, is heightened,” Murkomen said. “I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the deceased and wish a quick recovery to those who were injured.”
Continued Rescue Efforts
The Interior CS commended the County Government of Elgeyo Marakwet and the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) for their swift response.
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KRCS earlier confirmed that its team had evacuated the injured victims to Iten County Referral Hospital, while the bodies of the deceased were taken to the facility’s mortuary.
“Another landslide has been reported in Kibendo area, Keiyo North, Elgeyo Marakwet County. Kenya Red Cross response teams are en route to the site,” Red Cross reported
Murkomen urged residents in landslide-prone areas to remain alert and report any unusual earth movements to local authorities.
“We continue to call on residents in the region to be aware of their surroundings and to report any signs of earth movements to local authorities.”
The latest disaster comes just days after another deadly landslide in Chesongoch, Marakwet East, claimed at least 26 lives and others missing.
Citizens to Stay Alert
Rescue efforts in that incident were hampered by washed-out roads and blocked routes, showing the vulnerability of the region’s terrain.
The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) had maintained a heavy rainfall advisory across the North Rift and central highlands, warning that daily rainfall could exceed 30 to 50 millimeters in some areas.
The agency cautioned residents living on slopes and near escarpments to remain alert and report any signs of earth movement to local authorities.
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Disaster response teams remain on standby as the government and humanitarian agencies monitor rainfall patterns and assess areas at risk of further landslides.
Candidates Evacuted from Elgeyo Marakwet
Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Ogamba had also spoken on the fate of hundreds of Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates stranded in parts of Elgeyo Marakwet.
In a statement on Sunday, November, CS Ogamba said the government will evacuate the affected candidates to ensure they sit their national exams as scheduled.
“It is unfortunate about the disaster that happened last night, mudslides that have taken lives and injured others. But the government, under the disaster management system and using all the multi-agencies, has moved there,” Ogamba said.
“We assure all national examination and assessment candidates in the region that we have put in place adequate contingency plans to ensure that they proceed with their remaining papers.”
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