Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has reassured government’s swift intervention following the recent landslide that claimed several lives and caused widespread destruction in Embobut and Chesongoch areas in Marakwet East.

Murkomen made the remarks on Saturday, while accompanying First Lady Rachel Ruto during a visit to Chesongoch and Embobut, to Embobut to condole with the families affected by the devastating mudslides.

The CS described the impact of the landslide in the area as immense and noted that the landslide had left behind a trail of destruction in the lower parts of Marakwet East.

Murkomen also asserted that the landslide destroyed homes, farms and infrastructure, leaving families without shelter or sources of livelihood.

He affirmed that the government would take immediate action to ensure repair and restoration of the damaged infrastructure and provide humanitarian assistance to the affected households. He also stressed that efforts to ensure the displaced families are supported to rebuild their lives and resume normalcy are underway.

“We will expedite the rehabilitation of infrastructure and humanitarian support to ensure that the affected families get back on their feet as soon as possible,” Murkomen said.

Other leaders who accompanied the First Lady include Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich, Members of parliament Caroline Ng’elechi and Adams Kipsanai, together with other government officials and leaders.

The landslide occurred after days of heavy rainfall in the region and has left a lasting impact on the local communities, leading to calls for long-term mitigation measures to help prevent future occurrences in the highlands of Marakwet which are prone to landslides.