Government authorities have issued a warning over increasing landslide risks in central Kenya following days of heavy rainfall that has left at least one person dead and displaced hundreds of residents in Murang’a County.
The Ministry of Interior and National Administration said communities in Kangema and Mathioya are among the worst affected, with landslides destroying homes, farms, and critical infrastructure as emergency teams continue response operations across the region.
Officials reported that heavy rains triggered slope failures in several villages, forcing urgent intervention as households were evacuated from high-risk zones to safer locations.
At least one fatality has been confirmed in Ngutu area, Gitugi Ward, where continuous rainfall weakened the ground, leading to sudden landslides that swept through residential areas.
Emergency relocations underway in Murang’a
Authorities have begun relocating approximately 200 households from Ngutu area as geologists and disaster response teams assess ongoing risks in the region.
The government said the affected families are being moved to temporary shelters while monitoring continues to determine whether conditions have stabilized enough for safe return.
Damage reports indicate that homes, farmland, and livestock have been destroyed in multiple locations, with residents expressing concern over continued soil movement and unpredictable weather conditions.
The Kenya Meteorological Department has forecast intensified rainfall across the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, Central Highlands, and parts of southeastern regions, warning that conditions may worsen before improving later in the month.
Weather experts say rainfall is expected to peak between May 10 and May 13, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides in already saturated areas, particularly around mountainous and hilly terrain.
High-risk counties include Nyeri, Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga, Embu, Meru, Nairobi, Nakuru, Kisii, Kakamega, Bungoma, Migori, Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Narok, among others identified by disaster management agencies.
Authorities have urged residents in landslide-prone areas, especially along the slopes of Mt. Kenya and the Aberdare ranges, to remain vigilant and avoid movement in unstable terrain.
The government has advised the public to watch for warning signs such as ground cracks, tilting trees, and weakened structures, and to report any risks to local administrators immediately.
Emergency response teams remain on standby as rainfall continues across central Kenya, with coordination efforts ongoing between national and county governments to strengthen evacuation and relief operations.
Disaster officials have also cautioned against crossing flooded roads or taking shelter near unstable structures, emphasizing that continued rainfall increases the danger of sudden ground collapse.
Humanitarian agencies are assisting displaced families with food, shelter, and medical support as recovery efforts continue in the hardest-hit areas of Murang’a County.
Authorities have reiterated that prevention and early evacuation remain the most effective measures to reduce casualties as unpredictable weather patterns persist across the region.
County governments are conducting ongoing assessments to identify newly affected areas and ensure rapid response to emerging emergencies linked to the heavy rainfall.
Officials say community awareness campaigns are being intensified to help residents understand the risks and respond appropriately during extreme weather conditions.
Emergency agencies continue to monitor developments closely as central Kenya remains under threat of further landslides if heavy rains persist.
