Search and recovery teams in Chesongon, Elgeyo Marakwet County, have so far retrieved 37 bodies following last week’s devastating mudslide.

In an update from the County Government of Elgeyo Marakwet, one more body was recovered on Thursday, November 6, 2025, as the operation continues with hopes of finding additional victims.

Speaking on Thursday, November 6, 2025, while receiving donations worth more than one million shillings from the Wareng Power House Professionals from Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wesley Rotich said the situation on the ground remains dire.

“Our people are in urgent need of food items and building materials,” Governor Rotich.

“Most of the affected families have no place to stay and are currently sheltering at Chesongoch Catholic Church,” he added.

The Governor noted that many survivors are still traumatised and require psychosocial support.

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“Some families are going through deep trauma. Alongside food and shelter, they need counselling and emotional care,” he added.

“We thank the national government for its continued support in the retrieval efforts, but more help is needed. The number of affected persons is large, and their essential needs must be addressed urgently,” he said.

The team delivering the donations was led by Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii, who appealed to professionals and experts across the region to contribute to the ongoing humanitarian efforts.

“This is a time for all of us—experts, professionals, and well-wishers—to join hands and support the families in the valley,” Governor Bii said.

At the time, the County authorities noted that rescue and recovery operations would continue until all missing persons are accounted for.

Residents from Kasegei Village, Chesongoch area in Elgeyo Marakwet County, recounted what happened before the landslides and floods were witnessed in the area at around 2:00 am.

They said that there was an unusual sound, like that of an aircraft in the sky.

According to resident Vacity Jeptoo, the rainfall was extremely heavy, and they were startled by a loud, unusual sound coming from above, although nothing was visible.

“Something roared like a plane. When we heard that, we woke each other up, saying, ‘Wake up, let’s run, because we don’t know where this plane is going to crash,’” Jeptoo said.

Jeptoo added that the incident caused them great anxiety and fear, prompting them to wake up their neighbours and flee to safety.

“We ran to a safe place, the Murkutwo area, which is about five (5) kilometres away,” Jeptoo said.

Betty Cheserek recounted the heartbreaking incident, stating that two (2) families who are her neighbours lost five (5) people.

The resident further indicated that many people are still unaccounted for to date, saying that some of her neighbours lost children and a father in the incident.

“Many people are missing, and we don’t know where they are. The soil has covered the area like a road,” Cheserek added.

However, the residents said they took decisive action to wake up their neighbours and flee to a safe area.