Gov't relocates Marakwet landslide victims, rolls out mental health support plan

Speaking during a tree planting event in Kongit Forest, Mount Elgon, Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa highlighted the ministry’s efforts to curb the aftermath of the mudslide incident that left more than 6,000 homesteads affected and many families displaced. 

Barasa outlined the government’s long-term restoration plan, which involved the Ministry of Water addressing the overflow of water into people’s homes, the Ministry of Agriculture overseeing the situation of families who lost crops to the floods, and the Ministry of Environment supporting restoration efforts. 

“We have noticed the landslide at Elgeyo Marakwet, in Songot region, and Trans Nzoia, na Majalala where there is flooding and overflow of water into the homestead, displacing many families. More than 6,000 hosted have been affected. This is indeed a disaster which the national government is responding to in the short term and long term with the Ministry of Environment as well, supporting restoration,” she stated. 

“In short term what we have done we have been able to move the victims, the affected homesteads, to an area that is safe and healthy and clean, ensuring that they are secure. We have been able to provide food for the communities as well as other non-food items such as blankets, mattresses, among others, to ensure that they are safe and warm in these areas."

"Equally, we have ensured that we have sanitation facilities, we have ensured that we have mental health psychological support, and are continuing to offer health support to the families that have been affected."

The CS added that the government is calling on partners and conservatives to support the restoration of the affected areas.

The Friday, October 31, tragedy was triggered by heavy rains and left over 20 people missing. 

Following the incident, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen urged residents in the Kerio Valley to heed early warnings and move to safer grounds, while confirming that 19 survivors were rescued. 

He attributed the mudslide to years of deforestation and poor farming methods.

"The biggest problem with this issue is deforestation, the problem of landlessness," he said. "If you go further where people own their own personal land, you will find that the kinds of farming are precipitating these issues, instead of doing millet and maize, it's better to do tea crops," Murkomen stated in Eldoret on November 2, 2025.