Families affected by mudslides in Elgeyo Marakwet back resettlement plan to safeguard lives

Some of the families affected by the recent Kerio Valley mudslides have expressed willingness to be relocated to safer areas under a government resettlement plan.

The mudslides in parts of Elgeyo Marakwet claimed 38 lives, with nine people still missing two weeks after the tragedy.

Community leaders, led by MCA John Koima of Chepkorio, have called on the government to relocate more than 100,000 residents living along the Kerio Valley escarpments.

“The mudslides tragedy is an unfortunate wake-up call. We need to act fast to safeguard the lives of our people living in risky areas,” Koima said.

He noted that many families reside in areas with visible cracks, indicating high risk and emphasised that the escarpments were originally intended for tree planting, not human settlements.

“The government should take up the land and intensify tree planting after relocating families,” he said.

Residents have welcomed the idea of relocation.

John Kiptoo, who lost three relatives in the mudslides, said, “We have experienced several costly mudslides in this area and it’s time we are given land elsewhere to save lives.”

Another resident, Janet Chemeli, said lack of alternative land had forced families to live along the escarpments. “If the government can find us alternative land, we are willing to be relocated for our families’ safety,” she said.

Governor Stephen Sang had earlier urged residents in the North Rift to stop cultivation and all forms of farming along hilly areas and escarpments, which weaken the soil and trigger mudslides. He said the recent tragedy in Kerio Valley was directly linked to such farming activities.

“We have lost many lives. As a way forward, we are asking communities along the escarpments to change their farming practices and refrain from living in high-risk areas,” Sang said.

As chairman of the North Rift Economic Bloc, Sang has been leading counties in assisting victims of the Elgeyo Marakwet mudslides. He said governors will work with relevant agencies to develop long-term solutions for residents in areas prone to landslides.

During his visit to Kerio Valley, Sang encouraged residents to adopt alternative and sustainable farming methods, such as coffee farming, which can help mitigate disasters during the rainy seasons.