Activist Kipkorir Ngetich Calls for Urgent Action After Elgeyo Marakwet Mudslide Tragedy

In a passionate and urgent call to action, Eldoret-based human rights activist Kipkorir Ngetich has expressed his deepest condolences to the families affected by the tragic mudslide that struck Elgeyo Marakwet County, a disaster that has claimed numerous lives and left many others injured. In a statement released earlier this week, Ngetich, who has long been an advocate for the rights and safety of vulnerable communities, decried the failure of the government to act on long-standing recommendations that could have prevented such a catastrophe.

The mudslide, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, buried entire villages in the region, claiming the lives of at least 50 people with dozens more feared dead. The incident has also left over a hundred people hospitalized with serious injuries, many of whom are still in critical condition. The affected areas, which include parts of Marakwet East and West, are known for their susceptibility to landslides and flooding, yet no significant measures have been taken to relocate the communities that reside in these high-risk zones.

Speaking on behalf of human rights organizations from the northern region, Ngetich expressed his deepest sympathies for the victims, while also condemning the failure of the government to address the longstanding issue of relocation. "On behalf of the human rights community in the north region, we send our heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in this devastating tragedy," Ngetich said. "We also wish a quick and full recovery to the survivors who are receiving medical treatment in hospitals across the region. This is a heartbreaking event, and it is especially painful because it was so preventable."

A Tragedy Long Foreseen

According to Ngetich, this disaster was not a sudden or unforeseeable event. He pointed to a series of reports and recommendations from previous administrations that have documented the vulnerability of certain regions, including Elgeyo Marakwet, to mudslides, landslides, and floods. These reports, which were compiled by disaster management committees in consultation with experts, outlined the urgent need to relocate communities living in these dangerous areas.

"In the past, multiple disaster management reports have clearly documented the risks that people in Elgeyo Marakwet face from mudslides and flooding," Ngetich explained. "These reports made strong recommendations for the immediate relocation of these communities to safer zones. Unfortunately, these recommendations were ignored or shelved by successive governments."

The human rights advocate lamented that despite the clear evidence of the dangers posed by living in these high-risk zones, the government failed to act decisively. "This is not an isolated incident," Ngetich stated. "This is a pattern of inaction by the government that has now led to the loss of precious lives. We cannot continue to treat the lives of our citizens as expendable or as a trial run for emergency response systems. It is deeply regretful that the government only acts in the face of tragedy rather than preventing such disasters before they happen."

A Call for Immediate Government Action

Ngetich emphasized that the government must take full responsibility for the safety and well-being of its citizens, particularly those living in regions identified as disaster-prone. He called for the immediate implementation of the recommendations from past disaster management committees, which he believes could have mitigated the severity of the current disaster.

"The government has failed its people by not acting on the warnings and recommendations that have been on record for years," he said. "It is unacceptable that we are still waiting for another disaster to occur before meaningful action is taken. This is a security and national issue, and it is time for the government to stop procrastinating and implement the necessary measures to protect its citizens."

In his statement, Ngetich urged the government to immediately access and review the archived reports from disaster management committees, which have already identified the at-risk areas and proposed relocation strategies. "There should be no further delay. The government must act now to prevent any more lives from being lost. This is no longer a matter of negotiations with citizens about whether or not they should move; it is a matter of national security and disaster preparedness."

Executive Orders and Government Accountability

The human rights advocate also called for an executive order from the President to immediately relocate the communities living in high-risk zones, with clear timelines for their resettlement. "The government cannot afford to continue waiting for further loss of life to justify its actions. An executive order should be issued immediately to relocate all individuals living in areas prone to mudslides, landslides, and flooding," Ngetich asserted.

He urged the National Land Commission, Parliament, and the Office of the Attorney General to step in and support the relocation process by identifying suitable land and securing the necessary funding. "The government must allocate the resources needed to relocate these people without delay," he said. "There are no excuses for failing to act. The government must ensure that these vulnerable communities are given safer homes, and that all necessary measures are taken to protect their lives."

Ngetich further emphasized that while the government’s immediate response to the disaster is commendable, it is only a temporary measure. He called for a long-term roadmap to ensure that the victims of the mudslide are properly compensated and supported in their recovery. "The government must not only provide immediate aid to the victims but also establish a sustainable plan to compensate them for their losses and ensure they have access to the resources they need to rebuild their lives," Ngetich said.

A Community in Need of Support

In addition to calling on the government to take action, Ngetich appealed to the broader Kenyan public to show solidarity and support for the victims of the mudslide. "We ask for neighbors, friends, and relatives living in safer areas to open their hearts and homes to those who have been displaced by this disaster," he said. "This is a time for us to show love, compassion, and care for those who are suffering. The trauma of losing loved ones and homes is immense, and we all have a role to play in helping these victims heal."

He also called for the activation of county disaster management committees, urging them to mobilize resources and take swift action in response to the ongoing crisis. "Disaster management committees at the county level must be revived and fully equipped to address these kinds of emergencies," Ngetich stated. "These committees should be actively engaged in disaster prevention, preparedness, and relief efforts to ensure that we do not find ourselves in a similar situation again."

A Wake-Up Call for Parliament

Finally, Ngetich called on Parliament to take immediate action and ensure that the government implements the disaster management recommendations that have been made over the years. "It is high time that Parliament stops being a passive observer and starts holding the government accountable for its failure to protect its citizens," Ngetich concluded. "We cannot continue to ignore the voices of experts and the cries of the people who have suffered from these disasters. Parliament must act to ensure that disaster management policies are effectively implemented and that the safety of our citizens is guaranteed."