The death toll from devastating landslides in western Kenya and eastern Uganda has now surpassed 50, highlighting the increasingly dangerous impact of climate-amplified rainfall across East Africa’s fragile highland regions.
In Kenya’s Elgeyo Marakwet County, at least 34 people have lost their lives, with many others still missing after a series of mudslides triggered by prolonged heavy rains. Over the border in Uganda, more than 20 people have been confirmed dead, with dozens still unaccounted for as search and rescue operations continue.
In Kenya, survivors have shared harrowing stories of survival amidst the destruction. Margret Kiptoo, a survivor from Elgeyo Marakwet, recounted how she was awakened by the heavy rain, only to watch helplessly as her family was swept away in the ensuing mudslide. “My three children and husband are among the missing.
The entire family was swept downhill, and I found myself trapped between rocks. I survived drowning, but the pain is unbearable,” Kiptoo said.
Similarly, in Uganda, survivors have spoken of the terror as landslides struck their communities. Consolata Chemtai, another survivor from Kenya, described how her entire family, including her husband, children, and in-laws, were trapped in the mud. “All are among the dead,” she said. “I am still in shock. This has been a traumatic experience for us all.”
As the region grapples with the aftermath, scientists and environmentalists warn that such landslides are no longer isolated events but part of a growing pattern of climate-induced disasters. Edward Muriuki, acting director of the Kenya Meteorological Department, highlighted the growing threat posed by increasingly erratic weather patterns. “East Africa is experiencing longer and heavier rainy seasons, with rainfall levels exceeding historical averages.
This is exacerbated by climate change, including El Niño cycles and warming in the Indian Ocean, which are causing soils to become oversaturated, leading to unstable slopes,” Muriuki explained.
The Elgeyo Marakwet area, situated along the Great Rift Valley escarpment, has long been prone to landslides due to its steep, fragile terrain. Historically, the region has experienced recurring disasters, with deadly mudslides reported in 2010, 2011, 2012, and most recently in 2020. The frequency of these disasters is raising urgent concerns about the region’s vulnerability to climate change.
Simon Onywere, a geospatial scientist at Kenyatta University, explained that the region’s geological makeup—weathered volcanic rocks and loose sediments—makes it especially prone to collapse when saturated by prolonged rainfall. “The combination of climate change, poor land management, and human settlement in high-risk areas has created a perfect storm for disaster,” Onywere said.
He also emphasized that deforestation, unregulated farming, and poor land-use planning have further destabilized the slopes. Critical water towers like the Embobut Forest and Cherangany Hills have been degraded by logging, grazing, and other destructive activities, leaving the land exposed and vulnerable.
Experts argue that urgent action is needed to prevent further tragedies. Recommendations include resettling communities living in high-risk areas, reforesting vulnerable regions, implementing soil conservation practices, and strengthening early warning systems. “It is high time that climate adaptation policies be integrated into national development plans.
The disasters in East Africa serve as a stark reminder of the intersection between climate change, geology, and human choices,” Onywere said.
As the death toll rises and communities continue to mourn their losses, the growing threat of climate-induced disasters in East Africa underscores the urgent need for both local and global action to address climate change and its devastating consequences.
