At least 21 people have been confirmed dead and more than 30 others are still missing after powerful landslides swept through Kenya’s Elgeyo-Marakwet County in the Rift Valley region following days of heavy rainfall.

The disaster struck overnight in the hilly Chesongoch area, where continuous downpours caused massive mudslides and flash floods that buried homes and farmlands. Local officials say more than 1,000 houses have been destroyed, displacing hundreds of families.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the government has launched large-scale rescue and relief operations with support from the military and police. “Rescue efforts will continue, and we are preparing to deliver food and essential supplies to affected families,” Murkomen said in a statement on social media.

The Kenya Red Cross confirmed that 25 people with serious injuries have been airlifted to hospitals in Eldoret. Aerial images shared by the organization show vast areas covered in mud and debris, making access to some locations nearly impossible.

“Some routes are completely blocked due to flooding, but air evacuations are ongoing to reach survivors,” the Red Cross said.

Witnesses described terrifying moments as the landslides struck in the middle of the night. One resident, Stephen Kittony, told local media that he heard a loud roar before rushing out of his home with his children to escape the collapsing terrain.

The Chesongoch region has faced similar tragedies in the past. Landslides in 2010 and 2012 killed dozens, while flash floods in 2020 washed away a local shopping center.

Authorities have urged residents living on steep slopes or near rivers to move to safer ground as the country continues to experience intense rains during its short rainy season.

Rescue operations are still underway, with officials warning that the death toll may rise as search teams reach more remote areas.