In brief
A landslide triggered by heavy rainfall in western Kenya has resulted in 21 confirmed deaths, with over 30 individuals still missing. Rescue efforts are hindered by continued adverse weather, as the Kenyan government prepares for a resumption of search operations. Simultaneously, neighboring Uganda faces similar flooding issues.
The Kenyan government has confirmed that 21 people have died following a landslide in the western part of the country after heavy rainfall.
Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said the bodies had been transferred to a nearby airstrip after the landslide in Marakwet East late on Friday night.
He noted on X that more than 30 individuals were still unaccounted for after being reported missing by their families, while 25 people with serious injuries had been airlifted to receive further medical attention.
The Kenyan Red Cross, which is assisting in coordinating rescue efforts, indicated that the most affected areas remain inaccessible by road due to mudslides and flash flooding.
The Kenyan government paused the search and rescue operation on Saturday evening but announced that it would resume on Sunday.
'Preparation to supply more food and non-food relief items to the victims is underway,' stated Murkomen, adding: 'Military and police choppers are on standby to transport the items.'
Kenya is currently in its second rainy season, which typically experiences brief periods of wet weather compared to a heavier, more prolonged period earlier in the year.
The government has urged residents living near seasonal rivers, as well as those in areas hit by landslides on Friday, to evacuate to safer locations.
Meanwhile, flash floods and landslides in Uganda, near the border with Kenya, have also resulted in multiple fatalities since last Wednesday.
On Saturday, the Uganda Red Cross reported that another mudslide had occurred in Kapsomo village in eastern Uganda, destroying a house and claiming the lives of four individuals inside.
The Red Cross noted that floods had severely impacted most villages near riverbanks in the Bulambuli District due to continuous heavy rainfall that caused the River Astiri and the River Sipi to overflow, leading to significant destruction of homes, crops, and community infrastructure.
