A parliamentary committee has linked the recent deadly landslides in Elgeyo Marakwet and other parts of the country to rampant deforestation and poor land use, warning that environmental degradation is worsening Kenya’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters.
The Departmental Committee on Regional Development has urged the government to strengthen disaster preparedness, boost humanitarian aid, and enforce forest conservation to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Committee Chairperson Peter Lochakapong (MP, Sigor) said the ongoing floods and landslides have claimed at least 34 lives, displaced hundreds, and destroyed schools, roads, and homes across several counties. He called for quick and coordinated emergency response to support affected families.
“The Government of Kenya, under the directive of President William Ruto, has activated multi-agency emergency response protocols involving both national and county governments, the National Disaster Management Unit, the Kenya Red Cross, and other partners,” said Lochakapong.
“We want those tasked with humanitarian efforts to move with speed and ensure no more lives are lost.”
He was accompanied by Vice Chairperson Liza Chelule (Nakuru County Woman Representative), Khamis Abdi Chome (Voi), Basil Robert (Yatta), and Paul Abuor (Rongo).
The committee identified Chesongoch in Elgeyo Marakwet, Kimende Escarpment in Kiambu, Kamutungi in Embu, Tinderet in Nandi, and Narok South among the hardest-hit areas, with emergencies also reported in Tana River, Laikipia, and the Lake Basin region.
The lawmakers urged Kenyans to stay alert by avoiding flooded roads, rivers, and steep slopes, and to heed weather updates from the Kenya Meteorological Department and the Ministry of Interior. They also warned against spreading unverified information that could cause panic.
Lochakapong revealed that Parliament is finalising the Disaster Risk Management Bill, which seeks to create a stronger legal framework for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
“This tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the urgent need to strengthen our disaster preparedness and climate resilience measures,” he said.
Rongo MP Paul Abuor said the committee will conduct a fact-finding mission in affected areas to assess damage and gather testimonies from victims, adding that environmental degradation has become a serious national concern.
“We have observed that deforestation is a major contributing factor to these landslides. Environmental conservation must be at the heart of our disaster mitigation efforts,” Abuor noted.
Chelule extended condolences to families who lost loved ones and urged parents to monitor their children closely during the ongoing rains, particularly with schools closed for the holidays.
“We want to urge parents, especially mothers, to keep a close watch over their children during this period to ensure they do not fall victim to flood-related accidents,” she said.
The committee appealed for support from humanitarian organisations, the private sector, and international partners to provide food, water, and medical aid to affected families.
In Chesongoch, the worst-hit region, four villages Kasegei, Kaptul, Kwemoi, and Kipkirown were cut off by landslides, blocking access roads and delaying rescue operations. The Kenya Red Cross confirmed that by Monday evening, 34 deaths had been recorded, while more than 200 households were displaced and sheltered at Chesongoch Primary School.
Red Cross North Rift Regional Head Oscar Okumu said the terrain remains inaccessible, forcing rescue teams to trek long distances through unstable ground to reach survivors.
“Our teams are trekking up to three kilometres across rivers and unstable ground to reach victims. We’ve also set up temporary shelters to coordinate relief operations,” Okumu said.
He warned of possible disease outbreaks due to poor sanitation and limited clean water, adding that psychosocial support and water sanitation services have been scaled up.
Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura said recovery efforts are ongoing to restore essential services, including power and water pipelines, as authorities deploy drones and GIS technology to locate trapped victims.
Experts have warned that unless Kenya addresses deforestation, poor land management, and uncontrolled settlement on unstable slopes, the deadly pattern of floods and landslides will continue to claim lives year after year.
