Death toll in Chesegon mudslide hits 15, 22 other people still missing

The death toll in Chesegon, Elgeyo Marakwet county has hit 15 with 22 people still missing.

According to Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya, two bodies were recovered on Wednesday as well as a foetus during a search operation.

“We found the foetus but we are yet to find the mother who had only one week left to give birth,” he said.

Natembeya also said a multi-agency team that includes officers from the National Disaster Operation Centre, Kenya Red Cross and the Kenya Defense Forces is conducting the search for missing persons.

It is expected that by Thursday the team will make a final determination on whether to continue with the operation or not.

The Commissioner however lamented that the search operation has been made difficult because of high water levels, muddy and stony terrain as well as heavy rainfall that continues to pound the area.

“The body we retrieved yesterday was found 20 kilometres away from where the mudslide occurred,” he said.

He however noted that the team on the ground will continue the search for the rest of the day.

Food distribution to affected families is expected to begin from Thursday from house to house.