Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya, severe landslides

Last week in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya, severe landslides

and mudslides caused by intense and persistent rainfall resulted in tragic loss of life and widespread destruction. At least 34 people died, including 14 schoolchildren, with around 30 others reported missing. Over 1,000 homes were destroyed, and many injured were airlifted to hospitals for urgent medical care. Rescue operations involving military, police, and emergency teams are ongoing amid challenging conditions due to flooding and blocked access roads. The government has also put contingency plans in place to support affected students, ensuring national exams proceed without disruption despite the disaster. The landslides mainly affected areas like Chesongoch and Kibendo, with mudslides sweeping through villages, causing destruction to homes and infrastructure, and displacing families. Helicopters and ground teams are involved in rescue and relief efforts, and residents in high-risk areas have been urged to relocate for safety. Elgeyo Marakwet is one of the 47 counties in Kenya, located in the former Rift Valley Province. Its capital and largest town is Iten. The county borders West Pokot to the north, Baringo to the east, southeast, and south, Uasin Gishu to the southwest and west, and Trans Nzoia to the northwest. It has a population of about 454,480 people, with a nearly equal number of males and females and some identifying as intersex. Geographically, the county features the Kerio River on the eastern side and the distinctive Elgeyo Escarpment with elevation differences of up to 1,500 meters. The Cherangany Hills, part of the western half of the Great Rift Valley, rise gently in the western part of the county, with some peaks reaching over 3,400 meters. The climate is relatively cool, with temperatures ranging from about 12 °C to 22 °C and annual rainfall between 800 and 2300 mm. @https://www.facebook.com/reel/1926437818310157/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v @https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11/2/landslides-in-kenyas-rift-valley-leave-21-dead-30-others-missing @https://www.facebook.com/CitizenTVKe/posts/death-toll-in-elgeyo-marakwet-mudslide-rises-to-34-as-search-mission-continues/1426387912179879/ @https://www.kenyanews.go.ke/marakwet-community-set-to-host-spectacular-cultural-festival/ @https://elgeyomarakwet.go.ke/6002-2/ @https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elgeyo-Marakwet_County