Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura speaking in Eldoret on November 2, 2025 / HANDOUTThe government has confirmed that 22 people have died following a mudslide in Marakwet East Constituency, Elgeyo Marakwet County, as rescue and recovery efforts continue.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, November 1, 2025, after heavy rains triggered flooding in the region.
In a joint press briefing on Sunday, Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura said 22 bodies have so far been retrieved and evacuated to Eldoret.
He said 16 of the victims are currently at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), and others are in various hospitals.
The spokesman said 29 people remain missing and expressed the government’s condolences to families that have lost loved ones.
“It is with a heavy heart that we address you today, as the onset of the short rains has brought devastating floods. The Government shares in your grief and stands with you during this painful time,” he said.
Rescue operations are ongoing, led by multi-agency teams drawn from several government departments and humanitarian partners.
The teams include officers from the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, county governments, the military, National Police Service, National Youth Service, National Disaster Operations Centre, Kenya Red Cross Society, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, and others.
Mwaura said a total of 21 survivors, including 14 adults and seven children, are currently receiving treatment at MTRH. According to him, two more patients have been airlifted to the facility.
The military has deployed four helicopters and a fixed-wing aircraft for search and rescue efforts, alongside medical personnel and disaster response specialists.
The Kenya Red Cross Society has deployed drones and GIS mapping technology to support tracing and site assessment.
It has also distributed food and non-food aid to affected families and established a tracing desk to help reunite families.
The State Department of Special Programmes has distributed food supplies, including 600 bags of rice and 520 bags of beans, as well as 1,000 blankets, 300 mattresses, soap, and sanitary towels to displaced households.
Mwaura added that county governments have provided medical personnel, machines to open roads, ambulances, and additional food items.
The tragedy has also affected ongoing national examinations with the Ministry of Education making alternative arrangements to ensure that exams proceed without interruption.
Mwaura said exams will be airlifted to affected schools, and one student nursing an injury will sit their exams at MTRH.
The government has appealed to well-wishers to continue donating household goods, clothing, mattresses, blankets, and medicines to support affected families.
“The Government is fully committed to supporting the affected communities and families and is working tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents,” he said.
He urged residents living in flood-prone areas to remain alert and relocate to safer grounds.
The government said more updates will be provided as rescue operations continue.
