At least 21 people have been killed and more than 30 remain missing after heavy rainfall triggered catastrophic landslides in Kenya’s western Rift Valley region. The disaster, which unfolded in Elgeyo-Marakwet County late Friday night, also destroyed over 1,000 homes, leaving hundreds of families homeless and stranded in rugged terrain.

🚨 Emergency Response Underway

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for the Interior, Kipchumba Murkomen, confirmed the fatalities and extensive damage in a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday. He reported that 25 survivors with severe injuries were airlifted to Eldoret, a major city in western Kenya, for urgent medical care.

“Rescue efforts will resume on Sunday with full support from the military and police,” Murkomen stated, adding that helicopters are on standby to transport essential food and non-food supplies into the affected areas.

The Kenya Red Cross is leading search and rescue operations in partnership with government authorities. The organisation has shared striking aerial footage showing vast stretches of land swallowed by mudslides and flash floods, which have blocked key access routes and further complicated rescue missions.

“Access to many affected regions remains extremely difficult,” the Red Cross said, highlighting the need for emergency air evacuation due to impassable roads.

📍 Where the Disaster Struck: Chesongoch in Elgeyo-Marakwet

The landslide occurred in Chesongoch, a hilly area of Elgeyo-Marakwet County that is particularly vulnerable to landslides due to its steep terrain and history of extreme weather. The recent tragedy comes during Kenya’s short rainy season, which often brings intense rainfall from October to December.

Local resident Stephen Kittony recounted the terrifying moment the landslide hit:

“I heard a deafening sound and instinctively ran out with my children. We were all separated in the chaos,” Kittony told Citizen TV.

🌍 A Region Plagued by Natural Disasters

This part of Kenya has faced similar environmental tragedies in the past. Landslides in the same region claimed dozens of lives in both 2010 and 2012. In 2020, powerful floods washed away an entire shopping centre, underscoring the recurring risks faced by residents in the Rift Valley.

Environmental experts have long warned that climate change, deforestation, and poor land management have exacerbated the frequency and impact of landslides in Kenya’s highland regions.

🇰🇪 National and International Focus

The Kenyan government has prioritized emergency funding and mobilized national defense forces to assist with the ongoing rescue and relief operations. International aid agencies are expected to join efforts in the coming days as the scale of the crisis becomes clearer.

Aid workers say the coming days will be critical for finding the missing and ensuring survivors get medical attention, food, and shelter.