What's happened
As of November 3, 2025, heavy rains have caused deadly landslides and floods in Kenya's Elgeyo-Marakwet County, leaving over 25 people missing and more than 30 injured. Rescue efforts are ongoing but hampered by inaccessible roads. Neighboring Uganda has also suffered fatalities and destruction from similar weather events.
What's behind the headline?
Ongoing Crisis Amidst Challenging Conditions
The recent landslides and floods in Kenya's Elgeyo-Marakwet County highlight the persistent vulnerability of hilly regions to extreme weather intensified by climate change. Despite government efforts deploying military aircraft and rescue teams, access remains severely limited due to washed-out roads and continuing heavy rains, complicating relief operations.
Regional Impact and Cross-Border Challenges
The disaster's effects extend beyond Kenya, with Uganda's Mount Elgon region also experiencing deadly mudslides and flooding, underscoring the transnational nature of climate risks in East Africa. Infrastructure damage, such as the severed Suam Bridge, isolates communities and delays aid.
Human and Economic Toll
Over 1,000 homes have been destroyed, displacing thousands and wiping out vital crops like maize and wheat, which threatens food security and local economies. The loss of entire families and ongoing risk of further mudslides demand urgent relocation and long-term planning.
Forecast and Implications
With rains expected to continue, the risk of additional landslides remains high. The government’s commitment to airlifting supplies and medical aid is critical but insufficient without improved infrastructure and early warning systems. This event will likely prompt renewed calls for climate adaptation strategies and disaster preparedness in vulnerable regions.
Broader Relevance
For global audiences, this disaster exemplifies the tangible impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities, emphasizing the need for international support and sustainable development policies. Locally, it will affect agricultural output and livelihoods, potentially influencing food prices and economic stability in the region.
What the papers say
Kenyan Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen has been a key voice, stating on X that "more than 30 people were still unaccounted for" and that "preparation to supply more food and non-food relief items to the victims is underway," as reported by All Africa and Al Jazeera. The Kenyan Red Cross highlighted the difficulty of accessing affected areas due to mudslides and flooding, sharing aerial images of the devastation (Al Jazeera).
South China Morning Post emphasized the scale of the disaster, noting that "twenty-five people were still missing and 26 others had been rescued," with government deployment of military planes and disaster specialists to aid search efforts. The Independent detailed the government's intensified search mission, quoting Murkomen on the use of four aircraft to reach cut-off areas and the government's plans to cover medical bills and resettle displaced families.
Local eyewitness Stephen Kittony described hearing a "deafening sound" before fleeing with his children, illustrating the suddenness of the disaster (NY Post, AP News). Meanwhile, All Africa reported on the destruction of crops worth millions of shillings and the isolation caused by the Suam Bridge being cut off, with villagers forced to dig through debris themselves due to delayed formal rescue teams.
The coverage collectively paints a picture of a region grappling with a severe natural disaster amid ongoing heavy rains, with government and humanitarian agencies mobilizing but facing significant logistical challenges. The reports also connect this event to a broader pattern of climate-induced extreme weather in East Africa, underscoring the urgency of enhanced disaster preparedness.
How we got here
Kenya's Elgeyo-Marakwet County, prone to landslides due to its hilly terrain, has experienced repeated flooding and mudslides exacerbated by heavy rains during the short rainy season. The region has a history of deadly landslides, with major incidents in 2010, 2012, and 2020. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events in East Africa.
Go deeper
- What caused the landslides and floods in Kenya and Uganda?
- How is the Kenyan government responding to the disaster?
- What are the long-term impacts on affected communities?
Common question
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What Caused the Kenya Landslide and Is It Still Dangerous?
A devastating landslide in Kenya has destroyed homes and caused multiple fatalities. Heavy rains and unstable terrain are key factors behind this disaster. Curious about what triggered the landslide, how many people are affected, and what risks remain? Below, we answer common questions about this urgent situation and how communities can prepare for future events.
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What’s Causing the Floods and Landslides in Kenya and How Are Countries Affected?
Recent heavy rains have triggered devastating floods and landslides in Kenya, with neighboring countries like Uganda also experiencing similar weather disasters. Many wonder what’s behind these extreme events, how they impact the region, and what’s being done to help. Below, we explore the causes, effects, and ongoing efforts related to these natural disasters.
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Are Floods and Landslides Becoming More Common Worldwide?
Recent events like the devastating floods and landslides in Kenya highlight a growing concern: are these extreme weather events happening more often? Climate change is often linked to increased natural disasters, prompting questions about regional risks and future predictions. Below, we explore the latest trends, affected areas, and what governments are doing to respond to these escalating threats.
More on these topics
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Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country in Eastern Africa. At 580,367 square kilometres, Kenya is the world's 48th largest country by total area. With a population of more than 47.6 million people, Kenya is the 29th most populous country.
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Uganda, officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East-Central Africa. It is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the south