Devastating landslides have struck the border region between Uganda and Kenya, claiming the lives of more than 40 people and leaving many others missing, as continuous heavy rainfall exacerbates the crisis and hampers rescue efforts.
Multiple mudslides occurred last week in the mountainous areas along the Uganda-Kenya border, causing widespread destruction and trapping residents in their homes. The death toll has climbed to over 40, with authorities reporting at least 18 fatalities in Uganda’s eastern districts of Kapchorwa, Bukwo, and Kween, and dozens more in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley region. Search and rescue teams, including volunteers from the Uganda Red Cross Society, are working tirelessly to locate the missing, but their efforts are being impeded by blocked roads and the risk of further landslides.
In Kenya, the disaster has hit particularly hard, with 14 schoolchildren among those killed when mudslides swept through villages like Kaptul. Felix Kemboi, a 30-year-old resident, shared his anguish after losing six relatives, including his grandmother, aunt, uncle, two sisters, and a cousin, in the tragedy. The Kenyan government, through Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen, has issued warnings about heightened landslide risks in the Kerio Valley due to ongoing heavy rains and is urging residents in vulnerable areas to relocate to higher ground.
Across the border in Uganda, survivors have recounted harrowing experiences of the landslides striking at night. Helda Narunga Masai from Kween village described how a loud noise awakened her before neighbors alerted her to the impending disaster, which claimed the lives of her niece and brother and destroyed her home. Similar incidents were reported in Kapchorwa, where three children and a woman from the same household perished. Local leader Mande David Kapcheronge noted that rescue teams are using rudimentary tools to dig through mud heaps in challenging conditions.
The Ugandan government has responded by offering compensation of 5 million shillings (approximately $1,300) to bereaved families and 1 million shillings to each survivor, aiming to provide some relief amid the devastation. In contrast, the Kenyan government has yet to announce any compensation plans for those affected. Aid organizations and community volunteers are focusing on recovery operations, but the persistent rainfall and unstable terrain continue to pose significant dangers to both rescuers and remaining residents.
This disaster underscores the recurring threat of landslides in the region, where similar events have caused massive loss of life in the past, such as the 2010 Bududa landslide in Uganda that killed about 300 people. Experts have long warned against building homes in these high-risk areas, but poverty and lack of alternatives often force communities to settle there. The current crisis highlights the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and sustainable land-use policies to mitigate future risks.
As the situation evolves, authorities are monitoring weather patterns closely, with forecasts indicating that heavy rainfall may persist, increasing the likelihood of additional landslides. The international community, including organizations like the Red Cross, is providing support, but the focus remains on local efforts to account for all missing persons and assist grieving families. The long-term implications include potential displacement, economic hardship, and the need for robust infrastructure to protect vulnerable populations in this disaster-prone region.