Elgeyo Marakwet County Commissioner David Koske has warned residents living along the escarpment against burning vegetation while preparing farms for planting, saying the practice exposes fragile soils and increases the risk of devastating landslides.
Koske, speaking during an El Niño preparedness committee meeting at the County Commissioner’s Hall, said heavy rains expected this month required urgent mitigation measures to protect lives, property and the environment.
He directed National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO), from deputy county commissioners to chiefs, to sensitise communities against burning vegetation. He warned that administrators would be held responsible if farmers in their jurisdictions were found burning vegetation and leaving land bare ahead of the rains.
The warning comes against a history of deadly landslides in the county. In November 2025, heavy rains triggered massive mudslides across Marakwet East and Keiyo North constituencies, killing 35 people and destroying homes and villages in areas including Embobut, Embolot, Endo, Sambirir and Chesongoch.
In April 2020, a mudslide in the Chesogon and Liter areas along the Elgeyo-Marakwet-West Pokot border claimed 29 lives. Liter Girls Secondary School, shopping centres and a police station were among facilities swept away.
To reduce risks during the coming rainy season, Koske cautioned residents against planting traditional food crops such as cereals on fragile slopes, noting that their shallow root systems are easily washed away by torrential rains.
Instead, he advised farmers to plant fruit trees with deeper root systems capable of anchoring soil and reducing erosion. He also encouraged farmers to plant short-season crops in safer areas to take advantage of available moisture and recover from crop losses caused by prolonged drought.
Koske further directed the Department of Roads to urgently inspect transport routes, identify areas vulnerable to landslides and reinforce sections at risk of being washed away.
Elgeyo Marakwet County Executive Committee Member for Lands and Urban Development Thomas Maiyo said the county government had hired 200 youths under the Kazi kwa Vijana programme to clear drainage systems across Iten Town.
Maiyo said the initiative was aimed at reducing the risk of urban flash flooding during the expected heavy rains.
He added that the county was developing a comprehensive policy containing legally binding guidelines on farming along steep slopes.
The county administration is also working with various non-governmental organisations to sensitise residents on the environmental and physical dangers of cultivating hazardous slopes.
By Alice Wanjiru
