News Africa

Kenya landslide: At least 29 killed after heavy rains

At least 29 people have died in landslides caused by severe weather in West Pokot county, Kenya.

The landslides, affecting the villages of Nyarkulian and Parua, were reportedly caused by heavy rains.

Officials say the villages have been cut off by flooded roads and at least one bridge was reportedly swept away.

President Uhuru Kenyatta said in a statement that his “heartfelt condolences” were with the relatives and friends of the victims.

Mr Kenyatta said there had been “massive destruction” of property and infrastructure, and that he has ordered armed forces and rescue services to the area to help.

Seven children were among the dead recovered so far, officials said.

Interior Minister Fred Matiang’i confirmed that rescue operations were “ongoing”, adding that “harsh weather conditions” were hampering a full assessment of the damage.

Images on social media showed trees, mud and other debris scattered across roads.

The Red Cross has confirmed it is responding to reports of the “massive” landslides.

Kenya’s meteorological department issued a warning of heavy rains on 18 November, telling people in “landslide-prone” areas to be on “high alert”.

Countries throughout east Africa have been affected by the downpours in recent weeks.

Landslides and flash floods have killed people in Ethiopia and Tanzania while hundreds of thousands have been displaced in Somalia by heavy rains.

Scientists warn that a weather system called the Indian Ocean Dipole is making flooding worse in the area.

Known as the Indian Ocean “El Niño”, it occurs when the western part of the Indian Ocean becomes significantly warmer than the eastern part.

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

Related Articles

Back to top button