At least 26 killed by landslides in Kenya’s Rift Valley

The death toll in a landslide in Western Kenya’s Rift Valley following heavy rains has risen to 26, a government spokesman said.

Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura said in a statement that 25 people are still missing and 26 have been rescued after devastating floods in Elgeyo-Marakwet County.

Most of those rescued are still receiving treatment.

Mwaura added that the government deployed military aircraft and disaster response experts to conduct a search and rescue operation.

“Some families lost more than five close relatives,” Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen told reporters on Sunday.

Many ordinary Kenyans and their families were affected by the Landslide tragedy in Sambirir, Endo and Embobut Districts of Elgeyo Marakwet County. As leaders, we addressed over 2,000 Mudslide Affected People at the Chesongoch Catholic Mission where they were camping. pic.twitter.com/6Kgmk1fD4K — Dr. Isaac Mwaura CBS (@MwauraIsaac1) November 2, 2025

Heavy rains that began on Friday night saturated the hillsides and triggered landslides that submerged homes in Murkutwa, Embobut and Chesongoch settlements.

Rocks, mud and floodwaters washed away livestock, crops and homes, isolating remote farming communities.

“The roads are completely broken. We are landlocked as we speak. There is no road movement here at the moment,” police commander Zablon Okoyo said.

The Kenya Meteorological Department warned that heavy rains exceeding 30 millimeters will continue in the coming days.

The region is experiencing the rainy season.

Hundreds of people lost their lives in landslides and floods in Kenya in recent years.

In the worst incident of last year, landslides and flash floods in central Kenya killed 61 people.

Landslides in eastern neighboring Uganda also killed at least 13 people last week, according to the Uganda Red Cross.

with DPA