The national government has announced plans to relocate families affected by recent mudslides in Elgeyo Marakwet, following devastating landslides that killed several residents and destroyed homes across the Kerio Valley. Interior and national administration officials confirmed that emergency teams are currently mapping out safe relocation sites, with priority given to households living along steep, unstable slopes. The directive comes amid ongoing heavy rains that continue to destabilize the terrain, raising fears of additional landslides in the coming weeks.
According to government agencies on the ground, many of the affected families were living in high-risk areas after years of insecurity pushed communities away from productive lowlands. Authorities revealed that environmental destruction, human settlement on fragile hillsides, and persistent land pressure have amplified the scale of recent disasters. Engineers, surveyors, and disaster-response units have already begun assessing damaged villages to determine which areas must be vacated urgently and what support displaced families will require. The relocation plan will include temporary shelters, food supplies, psychosocial support, and, eventually, permanent resettlement options in safer locations.
Local leaders and humanitarian groups have welcomed the government’s move, saying it marks an important step toward protecting vulnerable communities who have endured repeated tragedies. However, they emphasized that relocation must be accompanied by long-term solutions, including peace-building initiatives in the lower valley, reforestation programs, and enforcement of land-use regulations to prevent future disasters. Residents expressed cautious optimism, noting that while leaving their ancestral land is difficult, the priority is safeguarding their families from further harm. As heavy rains continue, officials say the focus now is on rescuing those still at risk and ensuring that relocation efforts are swift, coordinated, and sustainable.