The Kenyan government has confirmed that 21 people have died following a landslide in the western part of the country after heavy rainfall.
Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen stated that the bodies had been transferred to a nearby airstrip after the tragic incident in Marakwet East late on Friday night.
In a post on X, he revealed that more than 30 people remain unaccounted for after being reported missing by their families, while 25 individuals with serious injuries were airlifted for medical treatment.
The Kenyan Red Cross is aiding in coordinating rescue efforts and noted that the most affected areas are still not accessible by road due to ongoing mudslides and flash flooding.
While the government temporarily paused rescue operations on Saturday evening, it is expected to resume on Sunday. Murkomen mentioned preparations for supplying additional food and non-food relief items to the victims, with military and police helicopters on standby for transport.
Currently, Kenya is experiencing its second rainy season, often characterized by shorter bursts of precipitation compared to earlier in the year.
The government has urged residents near seasonal rivers and previously impacted areas to seek safer locations.
Similarly, flash floods and landslides in Uganda, near the Kenyan border, have claimed multiple lives since last Wednesday. The Uganda Red Cross reported a mudslide in Kapsomo village over the weekend, where four individuals tragically lost their lives.
The Red Cross noted that ongoing heavy rainfall has caused major rivers in Uganda to overflow, resulting in extensive destruction of homes, agricultural fields, and community infrastructure.
