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 stated that over 30 people remain unaccounted for, as they have been reported missing by their families. Meanwhile, 25 individuals with serious injuries were airlifted for further medical attention.

The Kenyan Red Cross, assisting in coordinating rescue opеrations, noted that the most affected areas remain inaccessible due to mudslides and flash flooding.

The search and rescue operation was paused on Saturday evening but is set to resume on Sunday. Murkomen mentioned that preparations are underway to supply more food and non-food relief items to the victims, with military and police helicopters on standby to assist.

Kenya is currently experiencing its second rainy season, typically characterized by moderate wet weather, in contrast to a more substantial, extended rainy period earlier in the year.

The government has urged residents near seasonal rivers and those in landslide-prone areas to relocate to safer grounds.

Simultaneously, flash flooding and landslides in Uganda, near the Kenyan border, have resulted in numerous fatalities since last Wednesday. The Uganda Red Cross reported that another mudslide occurred in Kapsomo village, killing four individuals inside a destroyed house.

The continuous heavy rainfall has caused the River Astiri and River Sipi to overflow, leading to significant damage to homes, agricultural fields, and community infrastructure in Uganda's Bulambuli District.