CS Murkomen: 15 confirmed dead, 30 still missing in Marakwet landslide

At least 15 people have been confirmed dead, and 30 others remain missing following a landslide in Marakwet East.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said 25 injured people have been evacuated for medical attention as rescue efforts continue.

“A multi-agency team comprising the military, police, national government officers, the county government, and humanitarian organisations is undertaking ongoing search and rescue operations,” Murkomen said in an update on Saturday.

He added that households at risk of further landslides have been moved to safer grounds, and a desk has been set up for reporting missing persons.

The landslide follows days of heavy rainfall that have triggered flooding and destruction in several parts of the country.

Elgeyo Marakwet County was hit by devastating landslides in Endo, Sambirir, and Embobut Wards, leading to loss of lives, destruction of property, and damage to infrastructure, including roads.

Murkomen expressed his condolences, saying, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Endo, Sambirir, and Embobut Wards in Marakwet East Constituency following the devastating landslide that has led to the loss of lives and property, as well as the destruction of infrastructure, including the road network.”

The government deployed police and military helicopters with medical personnel and Red Cross staff to assist in the ongoing search and rescue operations.

CS Murkomen added that the government is working closely with the county administration and non-state actors to support affected families.

“We are working with the County Government and non-state actors to respond to this unfortunate incident and provide the necessary support to the affected families,” he said.

Efforts are also underway to restore damaged roads to allow for movement and access for emergency and relief operations.

The region has been rendered largely inaccessible due to heavy flooding, and security teams are searching for viable land routes to bring in additional rescue personnel.

According to data from the United Nations Statistics Division, a landslide is defined as any kind of moderate to rapid soil or rock movement, including lahars, mudslides, and debris flows.

A mudslide, sometimes called a mudflow, on the other hand, is considered a specific type of landslide characterised by the rapid downhill movement of a mass of rock, earth, and debris that is highly saturated with water, often occurring after heavy rainfall.

This means that while all mudslides are technically landslides, not all landslides are mudslides.

Mudslides are unique because they occur when intense rainfall or flooding oversaturates the ground, causing a fluid-like flow of mud, rocks, and debris.

“Landslides are more widespread than any other geological event and can occur anywhere in the world,” reports the World Health Organisation.