First Lady Rachel Ruto when she visited victims injured in the Elgeyo Marakwet mudslides who are admitted at MTRHThirty-seven people who died in mudslides in Elgeyo Marakwet
will be buried on November 21 even as the government rolls out a comprehensive
plan to assist all affected families.
Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura said in consultation with families and community leaders, a collective burial ceremony has been scheduled to ensure every victim is accorded a dignified send-off.
“We recognise the profound grief that many households are enduring and we stand with the affected communities during this period of mourning and recovery,” Mwaura said.
Tentative plans indicate the bodies will be moved from the Moi Referral Hospital morgue and taken to Chesongoch near the area where the mudslides occurred. President William Ruto is among leaders expected to attend.
Its not yet clear how the burials will take place considering that homes for the victims were destroyed by the mudslides but the government and affected families will give finer details.
In the latest update on the tragedy, Mwaura said the government continues to lead coordinated rescue, recovery, humanitarian assistance and stabilisation efforts following the mudslide.
Mwaura said the death toll stood at 37, with nine persons hospitalised and receiving comprehensive medical and psychosocial support.
Additionally 11 persons are still missing. A multi-agency search and recovery operations continues with sustained intensity.
On Saturday, First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto visited the affected areas accompanied by the Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, CS for Roads and Transport Davis Chirchir, CS for Public Service Geoffrey Ruku and governors from the region led by Nandi’s Stephen Sang.
The First Lady led the leaders in visiting and distributing food to the affected families.
Mama Rachel emphasised peaceful coexistence, conservation of the escarpment, and community responsibility in protecting the environment.
She pledged to personally support reforestation and environmental restoration efforts in the region, aligning with the government’s climate resilience and landscape rehabilitation agenda.
“We stand with the families of those affected by this tragedy and we will offer the necessary support they require,” Mama Rachel said.
Murkomen said the government was implementing a comprehensive one-month coordinated action plan, which includes verification of genuine beneficiary lists, rehabilitation of the escarpment, enhanced security deployment and redesigning all key road networks to withstand climate-related risks.
Chirchir said peace and stability are necessary foundations for development, noting that the government has already disbursed 80 per cent of payments (Sh104 billion) to contractors to expedite ongoing road works nationwide.
CS Ruku affirmed that the government will settle all medical bills, support dignified burials and ensure displaced families are resettled and their livelihoods fully restored.
Governor for Elgeyo Marakwet Wisley Rotich said all those injured received high-quality medical care at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, which played a critical role in saving lives.
