Death Toll from Chesongoch Landslide Climbs to 28 as Search for Missing Persons Intensifies

 

By Esther Namarome 

The death toll from the catastrophic landslide that struck Chesongoch area in Elgeyo Marakwet County has risen to 28, after rescue teams recovered more bodies early Sunday morning.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who visited the affected region, confirmed the updated figures and revealed that at least 25 people remain missing as multi-agency rescue efforts continue amid challenging conditions.

The disaster, triggered by intense rainfall on Friday night, swept through several villages, flattening homes and leaving a trail of destruction across the escarpment. Survivors described harrowing scenes as torrents of mud and debris engulfed entire homesteads, displacing dozens of families and destroying property.

“We have not stopped and will not stop until every missing person is found. The government is fully committed to assisting affected families and restoring normalcy,”said CS Murkomen during his visit.

Rescue teams comprising officers from the Kenya Red Cross, National Police Service, and county disaster response units are working around the clock to locate survivors and recover bodies. Heavy rains, however, continue to hamper progress, with unstable terrain posing risks to rescuers.

The government has begun distributing food, blankets, and emergency supplies to those displaced, while temporary shelters have been established in nearby schools and churches. Murkomen commended local volunteers, humanitarian organizations, and county authorities for their quick response and cooperation.

Residents living in landslide-prone zones have been urged to relocate to safer areas as the Kenya Meteorological Department warns that heavy rains are expected to persist in the coming days. Experts have cautioned that the Elgeyo Marakwet escarpment remains highly vulnerable to additional landslides due to saturated soils and ongoing downpours.

The Chesongoch tragedy adds to a growing list of weather-related disasters across the country in recent weeks, underscoring the urgent need for stronger disaster preparedness and climate resilience measures.

Authorities say assessments are underway to determine the extent of damage and to plan for long-term resettlement and recovery efforts for the affected families.

— Ends —