Heavy rain lashed western Kenya this weekend, causing landslides late Friday that killed at least 21 people.
Kenya’s Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said on Saturday that more than 30 people had been reported missing by their families in the tragedy that struck Marakwet East county.
Search and rescue operations were halted overnight, with officials promising to resume the search on Sunday morning.
What do we know about Kenya landslides?
About 25 people were seriously injured in the landslide, Murkomen said on Twitter. He was airlifted to the western city of Eldoret, where he will receive medical care. Others with minor injuries were treated locally, the minister said.
Landslides also destroyed infrastructure, including the road network, further complicating rescue efforts.
Military and police helicopters were dispatched to the affected area to assist in search and rescue operations. Murkomen said authorities were making arrangements to provide relief material to the victims and restore the road network.
“I urge people living near seasonal rivers and areas where landslides occurred last night to move to safe places,” Murkomen wrote.
Kenya has suffered several major floods in recent years, causing hundreds of deaths and considerable destruction. Scientists blame climate change for such frequent extreme weather events.
Edited by: Shawn Sinico