At least 20 people have lost their lives and more than 30 remain missing after a devastating landslide struck Kenya’s western Rift Valley region. Heavy rainfall, which has battered the area for days, exacerbated the disaster, turning roads into impassable mudslides and flash‑flooded channels. Rescue teams have been active; 25 seriously injured individuals were airlifted to a hospital in Eldoret, while those with minor injuries received treatment on site.
Despite the continued downpour, disaster agencies persisted in searching the debris of collapsed homes for missing persons on Saturday. By the second day of operations on Sunday, local officials stressed the urgency of providing humanitarian assistance and support to the families affected. The landslide destroyed over 1,000 homes in the hilly area of Chesongoch in Elgeyo‑Marakwet County.
Kenya’s Interior Minister, Kipchumba Murkomen, urged residents living near seasonal rivers or in landslide‑prone zones to relocate to safer locations. The country is currently in its second rainy season, the “short rains,” which typically brings a few weeks of wet weather. However, the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather has increased, with hundreds of deaths from landslides and flooding in recent years. Scientists attribute the rising frequency and intensity of such events to climate change.
As Kenya grapples with the aftermath of this latest disaster, the focus will be on delivering aid to those affected and implementing measures to mitigate future extreme weather impacts. The situation underscores the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness and response strategies in vulnerable regions.
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