National Tragedy Unfolds in Kerio Valley

The confirmed death toll from a series of devastating landslides in Elgeyo Marakwet County has tragically risen to 37, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura confirmed on Friday, 7 November 2025. A multi-agency search and rescue operation remains underway for 11 people still missing, while nine survivors are receiving medical treatment at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) and other local facilities. The disaster, which began on the night of Friday, 31 October 2025, struck several villages including Kasegei, Kaptul, Kwemoi, and Kipkirown in Marakwet East, following days of torrential rainfall. A second landslide occurred in Kipkenda Village, Keiyo North, on Monday, 3 November 2025, compounding the tragedy.

Massive Government Response Mobilised

The Kenyan government has launched a full-scale, multi-agency response, deploying personnel from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), the National Police Service (NPS), and the National Youth Service (NYS). A command centre has been established at Eldoret Airstrip to coordinate the complex logistics of the operation. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who has been on the ground, stated that military and police helicopters are crucial for evacuating the injured and delivering essential supplies, as many roads have been rendered impassable by mud and debris. President William Ruto has directed that the government will cover all hospital bills and funeral costs for the victims. Humanitarian support, including food, blankets, and medical supplies, is being distributed to hundreds of displaced families.

Weather Warnings and Climate Context

The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) has warned that near to above-average rainfall is expected to continue throughout November in the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, including Elgeyo Marakwet. The department noted that sustained rainfall in October had already led to high soil saturation, significantly increasing the risk of landslides. This event underscores the severe impact of climate change in the region, which is experiencing more frequent and intense weather events. The Elgeyo Escarpment's steep geology makes it inherently vulnerable, a risk that experts say has been dangerously amplified by human activity.

A Man-Made Crisis? Deforestation and Land Use Under Scrutiny

While extreme weather was the trigger, government officials and environmental experts point to systemic issues that created the conditions for such a catastrophe. CS Murkomen directly attributed the disaster's scale to widespread deforestation and poor farming practices on the steep slopes. Research from the University of Nairobi confirms a significant loss of forest cover in the Marakwet East Escarpment between 2000 and 2020, which correlates with an increased frequency of landslides. The Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK) noted that Elgeyo Marakwet is one of the top five high-risk counties for landslides, citing unsustainable land use and settlement in hazardous zones as critical factors. For years, residents have cleared forests for settlement, charcoal burning, and agriculture, weakening the soil structure and leaving communities exposed.

The Path Forward: A Test of National Preparedness

The immediate challenge for the multi-agency teams is navigating the difficult terrain to locate the missing and provide aid to survivors. The Kenya Red Cross, which is providing psychosocial support and other critical services, has highlighted access as the biggest impediment to the relief effort. Beyond the immediate crisis, this tragedy forces a national conversation on Kenya's disaster preparedness, land use policies, and climate adaptation strategies. Experts have called for the operationalisation of early warning systems that link meteorological alerts to immediate community-level evacuations and the urgent enforcement of regulations against settlement in high-risk zones. As the rains continue, the focus remains on preventing further loss of life while addressing the long-term vulnerabilities that turned a natural hazard into a national disaster.