A collapsing hillside destroys more than soil and stone. It destroys homes, families, and the sense of safety that communities build over generations. In Elgeyo Marakwet County, heavy rains soaked the slopes until the ground could no longer hold. The hillside then gave way in the night. A roaring wave of mud and rocks swept through the village, crushing homes and burying families as they slept.
The tragedy hit the community hard. Rescue teams recovered 37 bodies. Another 11 people remain missing, and 9 survivors are still in hospital. Earlier reports showed shifting numbers as teams gained access to buried areas, with some accounts listing up to 16 missing and at least 13 people injured before several were discharged. Families searched desperately for their loved ones, digging through mud and debris while praying for signs of life.
Search, Rescue, and Recovery
Multi-agency teams responded quickly. The Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service, National Youth Service, and the Kenya Red Cross moved into the area. Helicopters flew over the damaged landscape as ground teams struggled through blocked roads and unstable soil. Volunteers joined the rescue efforts. Many used shovels, metal bars, and sometimes their bare hands to reach trapped neighbours. Relief teams relocated displaced families to temporary shelters and provided food, blankets, and medical support.
The Elgeyo Marakwet landslide highlights a growing threat. Climate change continues to intensify rainfall. Deforestation weakens slopes. Unplanned settlements expand into fragile areas. These combined risks make many communities vulnerable. Without effective early-warning systems, safe land-use planning, and climate resilient infrastructure, similar tragedies will continue to threaten lives across the country.
Even in their grief, the people of Elgeyo Marakwet show remarkable strength. Neighbours support one another. Volunteers work long hours. Families hold on to hope despite heavy loss. Their courage reminds us that resilience can rise even when the earth collapses beneath us. Kenya now faces a clear call to act. The country must strengthen prevention and preparedness so that no other community suffers the pain that struck Elgeyo Marakwet.
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