PS Bitok: 14 students among 26 dead in Elgeyo Marakwet landslide

Fourteen students are among the 26 people confirmed dead following a devastating landslide in Marakwet East, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Basic Education PS Julius Bitok has said.

Bitok on Monday said the government has put in place measures to ensure that national exams proceed uninterrupted in the affected areas.

Bitok said 28 primary and secondary schools have been directly affected by the disaster and ongoing floods.

He was speaking at the Westlands Deputy County Commissioner’s office after witnessing the opening of exam containers for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) English paper.

Bitok assured candidates that the government has put in place all necessary measures to facilitate examinations.

“As government we have mobilised all resources necessary to ensure that affected candidates can continue their examinations without interruption. We have made adequate arrangements to ensure that no candidate is disadvantaged because of weather conditions or the recent disaster,” he said.

The PS noted that helicopters, all-terrain vehicles, and other logistics have been deployed to distribute and retrieve examination papers from affected regions.

He added that the Ministry of Education is working with the Interior Ministry, state agencies, and the county government to evacuate affected families and provide alternative exam centres.

At least three bridges were destroyed in the landslide, cutting off schools from exam collection points.

The heavy rains have disrupted access for about 1,867 candidates in both junior and senior schools.

Bitok, who visited the scene, expressed sorrow over the tragedy, saying, “We are saddened by the loss of young lives in Marakwet East. It is an immense tragedy, and we extend our deepest condolences to the affected families.”

He also lauded the smooth start of the KCSE exams across the country.

“Today marks the start of the English paper, which is the first major KCSE paper. I’m pleased to report that all containers were opened on time and exams dispatched without incident. We will deliver a credible and secure examination process,” Bitok said.

The government has pledged to extend support to all affected institutions as recovery and rescue efforts continue in the region.