Over 15 people have died and dozens more have been injured after a mudslide struck Machember village in Mukurtwo Location, Elgeyo Marakwet County, on Friday night, October 31.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura confirmed the fatalities on Saturday, November 1, saying that rescue operations were still ongoing as emergency teams continued to search for survivors trapped in debris.
“So far, 15 deaths have been confirmed. Twenty-five people have been rescued with serious injuries. Ten of them were airlifted to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, while six others have been evacuated to safer areas,” Mwaura said.
He added that about 30 people remain missing, and rescue teams are working under difficult conditions caused by continuous rainfall.
Mwaura said the government has mobilized all relevant agencies to coordinate the response, including the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), National Police Service, Ministry of Interior, and the National Disaster Operations Centre, in collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross.
Update on Mudslide Incident in Elgeyo Marakwet County
— Spokesperson GoK (@SpokespersonGoK) November 1, 2025
The Govt deeply regrets the loss of lives following last night’s mudslide in Machember Village, Elgeyo Marakwet County. So far, 15 deaths have been confirmed, 25 people rescued with injuries & 30 others remain unaccounted for pic.twitter.com/lInVshgWhO
"Police and military helicopters have been deployed, and medical supplies have been dispatched from Moi Airbase to the affected area. Despite heavy downpours hampering evacuation efforts, operations will continue until all affected families are moved to safety," he stated.
Meanwhile, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced that day two of search and rescue operations had commenced, with relief efforts also being intensified to assist displaced families.
“We have kicked off day two of the search and rescue of the victims of the Marakwet East landslide disaster,” Murkomen said. “We have also flagged off food and non-food items from our Ministry, the State Department for Special Programmes, and well-wishers, which have been airlifted to the people who were affected by the tragedy.”
The CS said the government had dispatched 600 bags of rice, 520 bags of beans, 1,000 blankets, 300 mattresses, 30 boxes of soap, and 10 bales of sanitary towels to support affected families.
Murkomen added that the County Government of Elgeyo Marakwet was developing a framework to coordinate public and organizational contributions for the victims.
He expressed appreciation to all agencies and partners involved in the ongoing response, including the KDF, National Police Service, National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs), Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, the County Government of Elgeyo Marakwet, National Disaster Operations Centre, the Kenya Red Cross, and other humanitarian organizations.
“We are joined by Governors Stephen Sang (Nandi) and Jonathan Bii (Uasin Gishu), CS for Public Service and Special Programmes Aisha Jumwa, PSs Chris Kiptoo (National Treasury) and Ismail Maalim (Special Programmes), Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura, among other senior government officials,” Murkomen added.
The Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) has also issued a traffic advisory warning motorists in Elgeyo Marakwet County to avoid affected routes and adhere to instructions from traffic and emergency officers on the ground.
Search and rescue operations are expected to continue until all missing persons are accounted for, as the government maintains its appeal for vigilance in landslide-prone areas amid ongoing heavy rains.
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