The death toll from the mudslide that struck Chesongoch in Elgeyo Marakwet on Saturday has risen to 36.
In a statement released on Thursday, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said that ongoing search and rescue operations by a multi-agency team have led to the recovery of additional bodies.
Despite the progress, 16 people are still unaccounted for, while four survivors who had been admitted to hospital have since been discharged.
36 Confirmed Dead in Elgeyo Marakwet Landslide as Search Efforts Continue. Photo: Courtesy.
Nine others continue to receive treatment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH).
Since the first mudslide struck Chesongoch on October 31, the area has suffered immense devastation as heavy rains continue to batter the Rift Valley region.
Following the initial disaster on Saturday, another mudslide occurred in the early hours of Monday morning, claiming the lives of a woman and her grandson and leaving three others injured.
Speaking on Citizen TV on Thursday morning, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisely Rotich said the community remains in deep shock, with some families losing as many as seven or eight members in the tragedy.
Beyond the mudslides, the government’s latest report shows that flooding has also affected neighbouring Trans Nzoia County.
So far, 6,318 households have been impacted, displacing 637 people who are currently being sheltered in eight active camps across Kwanza, Endebes, and Saboti sub-counties.
The government has already allocated Ksh29 million for food and non-food relief supplies to the affected families.
However, authorities continue to appeal for additional support from partners to aid in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services, shelter, psychosocial care, recovery, and long-term resilience efforts.
