A mother’s desperate plea for her missing son, a student at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), has cast a sharp focus on the human tragedy unfolding in Elgeyo Marakwet County after catastrophic landslides struck the region. As of Tuesday, November 4, 2025, the official death toll from the disaster had climbed to 34, with 17 people still unaccounted for, according to Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura.

The disaster, triggered by torrential rains, began in the early hours of Saturday, November 1, 2025, unleashing torrents of mud and rock that swept through several villages in Marakwet East and Keiyo North constituencies. Among the heart-wrenching stories emerging is that of a mother who survived the deluge but lost contact with her son. “I am appealing to the government to help me find my son... Until now, I have not found him,” she cried, her words carried by local media outlet Tuko.co.ke on Wednesday, November 5.

The search for the missing KMTC student and others is part of a massive, multi-agency rescue and recovery operation. The effort involves the Kenya Defence Forces, the National Police Service, the Kenya Red Cross, and the National Disaster Management Unit, who are navigating treacherous terrain and blocked roads to reach the affected areas of Chesongoch, Kipkenda, and others.

Widespread Devastation and National Response

The scale of the destruction is immense. Hundreds of families have been displaced, with initial reports indicating over 1,000 homes were destroyed. The landslides have also crippled local infrastructure, wiping out farms, damaging roads, and destroying water pipelines, including the Mulwaber Water Intake. The disaster has also tragically impacted students, with Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok confirming on Monday, November 3, that 14 learners were among the deceased. The government has since made arrangements to airlift national examination papers to candidates in at least 15 inaccessible schools.

A high-level government delegation, including Water Cabinet Secretary Eric Muuga and Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa, is on the ground coordinating the response. Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura stated on Tuesday, November 4, that trucks with essential food and non-food items have been dispatched to the region. Thirteen survivors are receiving treatment at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, while four have been discharged.

A Region Prone to Tragedy

This is not the first time Elgeyo Marakwet has suffered such a catastrophe. The region's steep escarpments, combined with deforestation and unsustainable farming practices, make it highly vulnerable to landslides during periods of intense rainfall. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen attributed the disaster's severity to these environmental factors. Geologists note that the area's soil becomes heavily saturated during the rainy season, leading to instability. Similar deadly landslides occurred in the region in 2010, 2012, and 2020.

As the October-November-December short rains continue, authorities have urged residents in all landslide-prone areas to relocate to safer ground. The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned that heavy rainfall is expected to persist, heightening the risk of further disasters. Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisely Rotich has repeatedly urged residents along the escarpment to heed evacuation warnings to prevent further loss of life. The ongoing tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness and sustainable land management practices in vulnerable regions across Kenya.