One body, six more survivors found as search in Elgeyo Marakwet mudslide continues

KDF has airlifted the six injured survivors who were found marooned in the mudslides to Eldoret.

by BY MATHEWS NDANYI

News03 November 2025 - 13:34

In Summary

Red Cross Manager for the North Rift region Oscar Okumu said the rescue mission was going on well and more personnel had been deployed to speed up the exercise.
Many residents have also joined in the search and rescue mission, especially youth who understand the area better.

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*Rescue workers assisting the injured from a chopper at the Eldoret airfield*

One more body and six survivors have been found in the area affected by mudslides in Kerio Valley.

KDF has airlifted to Eldoret the six injured survivors who were found marooned in the mudslides.

Red Cross Manager for the North Rift region Oscar Okumu said the rescue mission was going on well and more personnel had been deployed to speed up the exercise.

“We have various teams in several locations within the affected areas and we expect to ensure that we quickly reach those who are in distress,” Okumu said.

Many residents have also joined in the search and rescue mission, especially youth who understand the area better.

Okumu said the government and all other relevant parties had also stepped up the airlift of humanitarian aid to the affected communities.

KDF and police have also deployed sniffer dogs to those affected by mudslides in Kerio Valley to help in the search and rescue operation in the area.

A KDF chopper airlifted three sniffer dogs amid reports that there could be survivors in difficult situations within the affected areas.

The sniffer dogs will also help in the search for any bodies that may be stuck in the mudslide areas, most of which are inaccessible.

CS for Interior Kipchumba Murkomen has also directed deployment of NYS personnel to help in he operations, including assisting the displaced families.

Elgeyo Marakwet governor Wisley Rotich says the search and rescue operation has been going on for the third day now.

“The county is also still working on opening up roads in the area so that we can ease access and ability to reach all those affected,” Rotich said.

He said the impact of the mudslides was heavy and that it would take time before the operation is completed.

The government has taken over all costs of the operation, including treatment of the injured, burials and resettlement of the displaced.

Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura says President Ruto had directed that the multi-agency team in the area operate until all the missing people are accounted for.

An aerial view of the devastated region shows massive destruction across more than ten villages in three wards.

Authorities estimate that over 800 families have been affected, most of them displaced, after the mudslides claimed at least 26 lives and left more than 30 others injured.

The worst-hit villages include Kamogo, Mkeno, Moror, Murkutwo, Chesongoch, Chechan, Kabetwo, Mogil, and Kepkener, located within Embobut, Sambirir, Endo, and Ariti wards.

Embobut MCA Paul Kipyatich said the extent of the destruction was overwhelming.

“We have been devastated as a community, and the loss is massive. We thank the national government and everyone who came to our aid,” he said.

Residents described the tragedy as unprecedented, saying it will take years to recover.

“Death visited us viciously, and it will take quite a long time to recover,” Janet Jebet, a resident who lost her property and livestock, said.

Many families have been left homeless and are now relying on humanitarian aid as government and rescue teams continue with search and recovery efforts.