The death toll from the catastrophic mudslide that hit Elgeyo Marakwet County has climbed to 37, even as search and rescue efforts continue for those still missing.
In a statement issued on Friday, November 7, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura confirmed that 11 people remain unaccounted for and 9 others are hospitalized, receiving medical and psychosocial support.
“The Government continues to coordinate the multi-agency rescue, recovery, humanitarian support, and resettlement efforts in Elgeyo Marakwet County. As of today, the total number of confirmed fatalities is 37. Eleven persons remain missing, and search operations are ongoing,” Mwaura stated.
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A multi-agency operation involving the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), National Police Service (NPS), National Youth Service (NYS), and the Kenya Red Cross is still underway in the affected areas as teams work tirelessly to recover the missing and provide aid to survivors.
The deadly mudslide struck Machember village on the night of Friday, October 31, following days of heavy rainfall that saturated the soil and caused massive ground movement. The disaster buried homes, swept away livestock, and displaced dozens of families.
On Sunday, November 2, a second mudslide occurred in Kibendo area, Keiyo North, killing two more people and worsening the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Mwaura further warned that moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to persist over parts of Western Kenya, the Central Highlands, and the Rift Valley, increasing the risk of more floods and landslides in already vulnerable areas.
“Members of the public are urged to exercise heightened caution, avoid crossing flooded areas, drive carefully, and refrain from sheltering under trees during thunderstorms. Remain alert to early warning advisories issued by the Kenya Meteorological Department and local authorities,” he advised.
He also cautioned residents in flood-prone regions to guard against vector-borne diseases such as malaria and cholera, while those in drier regions were urged to take precautions against respiratory infections caused by changing weather patterns.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation has begun restoring water services to affected communities by drilling two boreholes and constructing emergency pit latrines to improve sanitation in temporary camps.
The government has also distributed food, blankets, and essential supplies to affected families as part of ongoing humanitarian relief efforts.
Authorities have pledged continued support to the victims and urged residents in landslide-prone regions to relocate to safer grounds as the rains persist.