At least 22 people have died after torrential rains triggered a landslide in western Kenya's Rift Valley, with rescue teams racing against time to locate 29 missing individuals, authorities confirmed Sunday. The disaster struck Elgeyo-Marakwet County on Saturday, submerging villages and leaving 21 injured residents hospitalized.
Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura stated military aircraft and specialized disaster response units have been deployed to coordinate search operations in the flood-ravaged region. "Our priority is saving lives and supporting affected families," Mwaura said in an official statement.
The tragedy highlights growing climate vulnerabilities in East Africa, where erratic weather patterns have intensified flooding and landslides this year. Analysts note such events carry economic implications for agricultural regions like the Rift Valley, a key hub for tea and horticulture exports.
Local officials urged residents in high-risk areas to evacuate as forecasts predict continued rainfall. The landslide comes weeks after the World Meteorological Organization warned of heightened extreme weather risks across the continent.
