25 bodies, part of the 39 victims who lost their lives in Chesongoch following disastrous mudslides, have been discharged from the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Morgue in Eldoret today, marking a somber moment for families who have endured days of grief following the devastating tragedy that occurred in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
On Wednesday, 19 November 2025, six bodies were taken by their families from the same morgue and have since been buried in various parts of Elgeyo Marakwet County.
According to Charles Chelimo, whose family lost 8 members, including his father, a requiem mass will be held tomorrow, Friday 21 November 2025, in Chesongoch, and subsequent burials of all the 25 victims will be held the same day in Murukutwo location.
“As a family, we are yet to come to terms with the loss of our loved ones. It is a painful moment for all of us, but we are standing together as a community at large as we finally lay our people to rest,” said Charles
Chelimo clarified that the 25 victims will be buried in the same land, but NOT in a mass grave.
Families have continued to appeal for support to resettle those affected and psycho-social counselling for families whose kin are still missing.
At least 9 people are still missing, and according to Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wesley Rotich, search efforts have not been called off just yet.
Since the disaster, local leaders have called for urgent mitigation measures to curb recurring landslides in the region, noting that heavy rains have left many families vulnerable. They have urged both county and national government agencies to accelerate relocation plans, rehabilitation works, and disaster preparedness interventions.
The Chesongoch mudslide, triggered by torrential rains, claimed multiple lives and displaced several households, prompting a multi-agency rescue and recovery operation that concluded earlier this week.
The burial is expected to draw hundreds of mourners from across the country in a final farewell to the victims of Chesongoch.
