UPDATE: The death toll from a catastrophic landslide in western Kenya has tragically risen to 26 following the recovery of four additional bodies on Sunday, October 15, 2023. Rescue operations have been severely disrupted due to flash floods sweeping through the region, hampering efforts to locate survivors.
Authorities confirm that 25 individuals remain missing as the government escalates search missions. Kipchumba Murkomen, Kenya’s Interior Minister, announced the deployment of four military aircraft to aid search teams in accessing areas rendered unreachable after roads were obliterated by the landslide on Saturday.
Search teams were forced to abandon their operations on Sunday as heavy rains triggered flash floods from a hill in the Chesongoch area of Kenya’s Rift Valley. The relentless rainfall across the nation has led to widespread flooding, displacing thousands of residents.
The government is urging individuals residing in flood-prone or landslide-prone regions to evacuate immediately, as forecasts indicate that adverse weather conditions are expected to persist. Minister Murkomen emphasized that emergency supplies would be airlifted to those affected, including essential items for 15 schools currently isolated from aid.
In a poignant statement, Minister Murkomen expressed sorrow for families devastated by the loss, noting that some have lost as many as five to six family members. “It is very sad that families have lost five to six immediate family members,” he communicated to reporters on Sunday.
Oscar Okum, regional manager for the Kenya Red Cross, highlighted the ongoing dangers in the Rift Valley, stating, “While conducting search and recovery efforts, we encountered roads that were previously cleared now overwhelmed by mudslides.” He urged community members to relocate to safer grounds to protect their lives and livelihoods.
As of now, over 30 people have been injured in the landslide, with the government pledging to cover their medical expenses and resettle those whose homes have been destroyed. The dire situation continues to evolve, and officials are closely monitoring the weather conditions.
Residents and rescue teams are on high alert as they navigate an unpredictable landscape, fraught with danger from potential further mudslides. The urgency to secure lives and restore safety has never been more pressing.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as rescue operations and government responses unfold in the coming days.
