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Murkomen: Govt to boost air transport for disaster response
19th November, 2025 07:50 PM
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen indicated that the National Security Council (NSC) has emphasised the need for the government and security agencies to be ready at all times to handle disasters immediately they occur.
Speaking at a prayer service for the people who lost their lives due to the landslides witnessed in the Embobut and Chesoi areas of Sambirir, on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, CS Murkomen said the National Security Council recommended that all police aircraft must be on standby at all times.
Also watch: Leaders urge speedy housing plan after Kerio landslide
“The National Security Council held a meeting yesterday and insisted that it will allocate a special budget to support air transportation assets,” Murkomen said.
Murkomen indicated that the government will increase the budget, especially for air transport, to help rescue citizens during disasters.
Furthermore, CS Murkomen indicated that affected residents will be compensated, while emphasising the importance of justice and equality.
Meanwhile, Marakwet East Member of Parliament, Kangogo Bowen, called upon the National Government to find a permanent solution to the issue of the landslide disaster in the area, which he stated has become a major challenge for the residents of Marakwet East
The MP also stressed the need for the Government to establish a special committee for relocating people, particularly in the Embobut-Embolot area, which he said the Government gazetted as a forest in 1924.
“There are more than 30,000 people living in the Embobut area, and yet the section is designated as a government forest, a matter which he says needs to be reviewed,” Kangogo said.
Also watch: CS Murkomen announces new strategies to address Kerio Valley landslide crisis
This sentiment was strongly supported by Elgeyo Marakwet County Senator, William Kisang, together with Marakwet West MP, Advocate Timothy Kipchumba Toroitich. Unanimously, they emphasised the need for the Government to allocate special funds in the budget that will go towards helping compensate residents, especially those living in dangerous zones.
The leaders noted that the large increase in population has contributed significantly to residents living or cultivating past the designated area known as the Spencer Line, saying it has contributed significantly to environmental destruction.
“The population has become large and the land has become too small, which has forced residents to enter beyond where Spencer was designated,” Advocate Toroitich said.
Catherine Kiprop, Michael Kimuron Chelanga, Gedion Ruto Kemboi, Faith Jebichi, Cosmas Kiptoo Rotich, Esmond Kipkemoi, Lawrence Cheserek Kosgei, and Kelvin Kimwetich Kimutai are the people who perished due to the landslides in the Embobut and Sambirir, respectively and are set to be buried tomorrow.
The funeral service for the 29 people who lost their lives in the Chesongoch area is expected to take place on the 21st of this month.
