A deep sense of grief filled Chesongoch in Elgeyo Marakwet County on Friday as 31 victims of the October 31 mudslide were laid to rest in a mass funeral ceremony.
It was one of the biggest mass burials the region has seen in years. Thousands of mourners attended, including senior government officials led by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
Families and villagers arrived at the burial site early in the morning. Some carried framed photos of their loved ones, while others leaned on each other for comfort. Thirty-one identical coffins, covered in flowers, were arranged side by side—a painful reminder of the lives lost.
Emotional hymns echoed across the venue as survivors recalled the terrifying night when mud and huge rocks came rushing down the hills of Kerio Valley, sweeping away homes and entire families.
CS Murkomen praised the strength of the affected families and promised that the government would continue supporting them.
Family representatives Francis Cheptile and Regina said the loss was overwhelming and asked the government to help affected families find employment so they can rebuild their lives.
Another mourner, Bargetuny, urged the government to take stronger action, including moving families away from dangerous slopes and securing vulnerable valley areas for long-term safety.
Murkomen expressed deep sympathy and said the government was working on long-term solutions. He announced financial support for affected families:
Ksh. 200,000 for each family that lost a loved one
Ksh. 150,000 for families with victims still in hospital
Search and rescue operations were paused to allow families time to bury their relatives. Officials confirmed that 39 people have died, 9 are still missing, and 3 remain hospitalized.
Rescue teams are expected to resume work immediately after the burials, continuing to search through thick mud and debris for the missing.
