Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen issued a stern directive on Friday, November 21, 2025, ensuring the transparent and accountable distribution of all donations for the victims of the catastrophic landslides in Chesongoch, Elgeyo Marakwet County. Speaking during a solemn mass burial for 31 of the victims, Murkomen tasked the County Commissioner with implementing a stringent verification process to prevent any misuse of funds or supplies intended for the survivors of a tragedy that has so far claimed 41 lives.

The landslides, which occurred on the night of Friday, October 31, 2025, following exceptionally heavy rainfall, devastated several villages, including Murkutwo, Embobut, and Sambirir. The disaster buried homes, destroyed livelihoods, and severed critical infrastructure, leaving a deep scar on the Kerio Valley community. In the immediate aftermath, a massive multi-agency rescue and recovery operation was launched, involving the Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service, and humanitarian organizations like the Kenya Red Cross. This operation faced significant challenges due to impassable roads and bridges, necessitating the use of helicopters and drones to access the affected areas, airlift survivors, and provide emergency aid.

Accountability Demanded Amidst Grief

During the funereal service held at St. Benedict Christ the King Catholic Church, CS Murkomen, who also hails from the county, conveyed condolences from President William Ruto and assured the grieving families of the national government's unwavering support. "The President has directed us to expedite all the necessary support due to the affected families, and we will implement this to the letter," Murkomen stated. His primary message, however, focused on fiscal prudence and integrity in the management of the outpouring of public and government support.

"I have directed the County Commissioner to ensure that all the assistance from the Government and well-wishers is used prudently and beneficiaries verified by administrators and security teams, with zero tolerance for corruption," Murkomen announced. This directive comes against a backdrop of historical concerns in Kenya regarding the management of disaster relief funds, where aid intended for victims has sometimes been misappropriated. The government has pledged to cover all medical and funeral expenses for the victims and has initiated plans to relocate survivors to safer grounds to avert future tragedies.

A Region Prone to Disaster

The Chesongoch landslide is not an isolated incident but the latest in a series of similar disasters to strike the region, with notable events occurring in 2010 and 2020. Experts and government officials, including Murkomen himself, have attributed the increased frequency and severity of these landslides to a combination of factors. These include the region's steep, unstable geology on the Elgeyo Escarpment, intense rainfall linked to climate change, and widespread environmental degradation. "The biggest problem with this issue is deforestation, the problem of landlessness," Murkomen noted on November 2, 2025, also citing poor farming practices on the vulnerable slopes.

The disaster has displaced hundreds of families, with the Kenya Red Cross reporting that over 600 households were impacted and required immediate humanitarian assistance, including food, shelter, and psychosocial support. The response has seen the distribution of essential supplies such as rice, beans, blankets, and mattresses to those sheltering in temporary camps.

Calls for Long-Term Solutions

As the community begins the painful process of rebuilding, the tragedy has intensified calls for durable solutions to the recurring landslide menace in the Kerio Valley. Beyond the immediate relief efforts, leaders and community members are urging the government to fast-track resettlement programs for those living in high-risk areas. Historical conflicts have in the past pushed communities to settle on the dangerous, higher slopes for security, trading one risk for another. President Ruto has directed that all affected families be compensated and resettled within 30 days, a promise the nation will be watching closely. The government's commitment to not only provide immediate aid but also to ensure that this support reaches its intended recipients without diversion will be a critical test of its accountability to its citizens in a time of profound crisis.