Landslide Kills 21 in Western Kenya After Days of Heavy Rain

At least 21 people have been confirmed dead after a massive landslide swept through parts of Marakwet East in western Kenya on Friday night, following days of torrential rainfall that have battered the region.

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Kipchumba Murkomen, said the bodies of the victims were airlifted to a nearby airstrip as rescue teams continued to search for more people feared trapped under mud and debris.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Murkomen said over 30 people remain missing, while at least 25 others sustained serious injuries and were airlifted for advanced medical treatment. “Preparations are underway to deliver more food and non-food relief items to those affected,” he added, noting that military and police helicopters had been deployed to assist in the operations.

The Kenya Red Cross Society confirmed that emergency teams were coordinating with local authorities to reach the hardest-hit areas. However, access remains difficult as roads have been cut off by thick mud and flash floods, leaving several villages isolated.

By Saturday evening, the government announced a temporary suspension of rescue operations due to worsening weather conditions but said efforts would resume Sunday morning.

Widespread Flooding and Mudslides

The landslide comes amid Kenya’s second rainy season, which usually brings short but intense downpours between October and December. This year’s rains have been heavier than usual, submerging roads, washing away homes, and triggering mudslides in several counties.

Authorities have urged residents living near seasonal rivers and flood-prone slopes to relocate to safer grounds. The government has also warned of possible additional landslides in the Rift Valley and Western regions if rains persist.

Regional Impact Across East Africa

Neighboring Uganda has also been hit by flash floods and landslides in recent days. The Uganda Red Cross reported that four people were killed when mud and rocks buried a house in Kapsomo village, Bulambuli District, near the Kenya border.

Rivers Astiri and Sipi overflowed their banks following continuous rainfall, destroying homes, crops, and key infrastructure. “The rains are still ongoing, and the situation remains precarious for thousands of families living along riverbanks,” said a Uganda Red Cross spokesperson.

A Growing Climate Threat

Experts say the frequency and severity of floods and landslides in East Africa are intensifying due to climate change, with erratic weather patterns disrupting livelihoods and displacing communities. In recent years, Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia have experienced alternating cycles of droughts and flash floods, often leaving behind a trail of destruction.

As rescue operations continue, humanitarian agencies are calling for urgent interventions, including better early-warning systems, sustainable land management, and improved infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events.