ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – The IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) has issued an urgent public advisory for residents in the Rift Valley, warning of further landslides and flash floods after deadly mudslides swept through Elgeyo Marakwet County over the weekend.
At least 32 people have been confirmed dead, while more than 20 others remain missing following the Friday, October 31 tragedy in Chesongoch.
Authorities say over 1,000 homes were destroyed as torrential rains pounded the hilly region, leaving families displaced and roads impassable.
In a statement posted on X, ICPAC urged residents to evacuate without delay and to avoid steep or unstable terrain as the saturated ground poses a continued risk of new landslides.
“Follow all evacuation orders immediately, avoid travel near affected areas and steep slopes, and stay alert for more mudslides as the ground remains saturated,” the regional climate agency warned.
ICPAC further advised emergency responders to proceed with caution due to unstable soil conditions and urged humanitarian agencies to prepare for a possible surge in displacement, shelter, food, and healthcare needs.
“Humanitarian agencies should prepare for displacement and rising needs for shelter, food, and healthcare,” ICPAC said.
⛈️⛰️ Heavy rains on November 1 triggered deadly landslides in Kenya’s western Rift Valley, claiming at least 30 lives and destroying over 1,000 homes, according to government officials. The overnight disaster struck Chesongoch in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, an area battered by
The centre also called on the Kenyan government to intensify coordination with disaster management agencies, enforce land-use and construction rules in high-risk zones, and implement long-term mitigation strategies to curb future disasters.
“Local authorities are encouraged to enforce regulations on land use and construction in vulnerable zones and accelerate long-term mitigation efforts,” ICPAC added.
Kenya has witnessed a series of deadly landslides in recent years, underscoring the growing threat of extreme weather linked to climate change.
In April 2024, a landslide in Mai Mahiu, Nakuru County, killed 48 people, while a 2021 mudslide in Kerio Valley left 11 dead.
The worst recent tragedy occurred in November 2019, when massive landslides in West Pokot claimed at least 72 lives and displaced thousands.
With the short rains expected to continue into November, climate experts have warned that similar disasters could occur in other highland and escarpment regions, including West Pokot, Baringo, and parts of the Central Rift Valley.
