The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has announced the closure of the Kapyego-Chesoi-Kilangata Road following torrential rains in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
In a notice on November 2, the authority stated that the road will be closed at Kilangata, Murkutwo, Chesongoch, and Kabetwa areas.
These rains have led to mudslides in the Chesongoch area, which have led to the deaths of at least 22 residents. Rescue operations led by the Ministry of Interior are ongoing.
"The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) wishes to alert the public of the road closure of Kapyego - Chesoi - Kilangata (B15) Road at Kilangata, Murkutwo, Chesongoch, and Kabetwa areas following the torrential rainfall received in the area, leading to fatalities," the statement read.
"A multi-agency rescue mission is currently underway with the Ministry of Interior and National Coordination, KeNHA, and the County Government of Elgeyo Marakwet at the site."
KeNHA further warned that the vented drift across River Mon, at Chesetan, along Biretwo Arror Road was overwhelmed by the storm and collapsed, leaving the road completely cut off for about 40 metres.
However, the authority assured that it was in the process of removing the boulders from the stormwater to restore the cut-off sections.
"The Authority is currently working tirelessly to access the affected sections and remove the massive boulders and debris resulting from the heavy stormwater. Further, efforts are underway to restore the cut-off sections and restore mobility," the notice read in part.
As such, all motorists traversing those sections of the road have been urged to replan their journeys for their own safety.
At around 4am on Saturday morning, a landslide occurred in the Chesongoch area following days of heavy rainfall in the area. By the end of the day, 21 people had reportedly died, with the number rising to 22 on Sunday morning.
Currently, rescue operations are ongoing, with 29 people still unaccounted for. 21 people are injured and getting treatment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.
The rescue operations are being run by Multi-agency teams from the Ministries of Interior and of Public Service, the County Governments of Elgeyo Marakwet, Uasin Gishu and Nandi, the Kenya Defence Forces, the National Police Service, the National Youth Service, the National Disaster Operations Centre, the Kenya Red Cross Society, the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), among others.
