Kericho County has relocated affected families in Binyiny village to safer grounds following a recent landslide disaster in the region.
The move comes as experts were making efforts to assess the potential of a developing landslide recurrences in Tendwet Location, Kapsaos Ward, to avert damages in future.
Leading a multi-sectoral team during an inspection of the affected area, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Public Service and Administration Jonathan Korir assured residents that the county had moved swiftly to contain the situation after a section of land sank by approximately one metre, creating deep cracks and raising concerns over the stability of surrounding homesteads.
Korir said the county government had already undertaken a preliminary assessment and facilitated the relocation of the affected families to safer ground as a precautionary measure pending a comprehensive scientific evaluation of the area.
“Our immediate concern is the safety of residents. The affected families have been moved away from the danger zone and we have appealed to neighbours to continue supporting them as investigations progress. We cannot take chances where human life is concerned,” said Korir.
The CECM revealed that a detailed preliminary report had been prepared and would be submitted to the national government to expedite the deployment of geologists and other technical experts to establish the cause, extent and long-term implications of the ground movement.
He noted that findings from the expert assessment would guide future interventions, including possible mitigation measures and recommendations on whether additional households may require relocation.
Korir further urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report any signs of land instability, including cracks on the ground, sinking surfaces, tilting structures or unusual water seepage, warning that early detection remains critical in preventing disasters.
The county official also pointed to environmental degradation as a possible contributing factor, noting that extensive tree felling in some parts of the area had weakened the landscape’s natural resilience against soil erosion and ground instability. He challenged residents to embrace environmental conservation initiatives, particularly tree planting, as a long-term solution to safeguarding the environment and reducing the risk of similar incidents.
In a move aimed at cushioning affected families from immediate hardship, the County Government, through the Department of Public Service and Administration, has also appealed to humanitarian agencies, including the Kenya Red Cross, to provide emergency assistance as investigations continue.
Residents living near the affected site have been supplied with emergency contact numbers and advised to keep away from areas exhibiting visible cracks or signs of active ground movement until experts complete their assessment.
The landslide has left residents shaken, with many expressing fears over their safety and the future of their homes. Ms. Recho Tonui, whose homestead was directly affected, recounted the terrifying moment when the ground suddenly split apart, leaving large fissures around her compound and causing water to collect inside and around her mud-walled house.
“I was shocked to see the ground opening up. The cracks continue to widen and we fear the remaining structures could be damaged if the situation worsens,” she said, appealing for continued government support and guidance on the family’s long-term resettlement options.
Zeddy Rotich who is a neighbor to the affected family said signs of ground movement were first observed in March during the planting season, adding that uncertainty over the phenomenon has left residents living in fear.
“We are worried because we do not know what is causing it or whether it could spread to other homes. We are grateful that the county government responded quickly and we hope experts will provide answers soon,” she said.
Pastor Reuben Murgor echoed the concerns of the community, noting that anxiety has spread across neighbouring households as residents grapple with fears that similar incidents could occur elsewhere in the locality.
He called for enhanced public education on disaster preparedness and environmental conservation, saying communities needed better awareness on how to respond to emerging hazards before they escalate into emergencies.
The assessment exercise brought together officers from the departments of Environment, Water, Disaster Management and Public Administration, alongside local administrators, community leaders and residents.
The coordinated response signals the county government’s determination to address the unfolding situation through science-driven interventions, while laying the groundwork for long-term measures aimed at enhancing community safety and environmental resilience across vulnerable areas of Kericho County.
By Gilbert Mutai
