Kenyan authorities have confirmed that 26 people have died following a massive landslide triggered by heavy rains in the western Rift Valley region. The disaster struck communities in Elgeyo-Marakwet County on Saturday night, after hours of intense rainfall caused soil slopes to collapse and unleash fast-moving floods.
According to government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, at least 25 people are still unaccounted for, while 26 survivors have so far been pulled out and rushed to nearby hospitals. Most of them are currently receiving medical care for injuries sustained during the incident.
The national government has dispatched the military, Kenya Red Cross emergency teams and trained disaster response units to the affected area. Helicopters have also been deployed to assist in search, rescue and rapid evacuation efforts, particularly in remote zones where roads have been washed away or blocked by mud.
Kenya has experienced recurrent and deadly extreme weather events in recent years. Experts say climate change is intensifying rainfall patterns across East Africa, increasing the frequency of flash floods and landslides, especially in hilly and mountainous regions.
Last year, at least 61 people were killed in a catastrophic mudslide and flash flood incident in central Kenya. Meanwhile, Uganda is also facing related impacts. The Uganda Red Cross reported that more than 13 people died in eastern Uganda over the past week due to similar landslide disasters linked to ongoing regional storms.
Government agencies have warned that rainfall is expected to continue in several parts of Kenya, and residents in high-risk areas are being urged to relocate temporarily where possible, as more landslides remain a possibility.
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Source:Africa Publicity
