An earth crack has sparked fears of landslides along the Keiyo escarpments in Elgeyo Marakwet County as heavy rains pound different areas of the North Rift region.

On Sunday, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), through a notice, announced the closure of the Nyaru-Fluorspar-Kapkayo-Tenges Road due to the deep cracks on the surface.

Locals living along the hilly escarpments yesterday expressed fears that the deep cracks that have cut off several roads in Keiyo South sub-county might trigger landslides.

Mudslides were reported in several villages in the last four days as the downpour blocked roads connecting the landslide-prone areas to Uasin Gishu and Baringo Counties, paralysing transport.

A resident, Kenneth Mutai, said a huge crack developed in Turesia Saturday after heavy rains on Friday night.

He said mudslides also rocked several areas, citing Kaptoror village, which he said was the worst hit.

“Many access roads have been rendered impassable by motorists, leaving travellers only using boda boda rides to Kimwarer and Nyaru areas,” Mutai said.

He added: “The mudslides are evoking memories of 2020, when heavy rains swept through farms and caused displacements across many areas of the escarpments.”

Public Service Vehicles (PSV) operators who have been plying the Eldoret-Nyaru road en route to Fluorspar in the Kerio Valley yesterday said an alternative route provided by KeNHA on Sunday was also prone to mudslides and rock falls.

“Vehicles can use Nyaru-Kamwosor-Ketigoi-Fluorspar as an alternative route during this period,” KeNHA said in a public notice.

But matatu drivers operating Fluorspar-Eldoret said the alternative route was not passable and that operators had opted for the longest road Iten-Kolool-Fluorspar.

“The roads from Nyaru to Fluorspar are so poor and impassable at the moment. The cracks had developed weeks ago, but deep ones started emerging four days ago, forcing drivers to use the longest route to Fluorspar through Iten,” matatu driver Justus Kemboi said.

Elgeyo Marakwet County’s Department of Environment yesterday said it was still assessing the situation.

“Several areas, especially in Keiyo South, are affected, and we are still monitoring the situation. A statement will be issued after a meeting with stakeholders,” Environment County Executive Member Jason Lagat said yesterday.

Deep cracks had developed in 2020 and 2024, triggering fears of landslides, and authorities pledged to encourage fruit tree growing along the escarpments.

The fissures have caused an exodus of several families from the shaky environments of Emsoo in 2020.

Government authorities listed Kapsegut, Kalwal, and Ketigoi in Keiyo South sub-county, where a ten-kilometre fissure emerged in 2018, as well as Kapchelaga and Sangurur in Marakwet West, as some of the high-risk areas.

Landslides hit the Kiphumwa, Litre, and Chesegon areas on the border of Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot counties on April 18, 2020, killing 18 people, and 17 others were declared missing.

Emsoo location Chief Kipchumba Kurui said at that time that a landslide had rocked Kiptiot village on a Friday night, cutting off the Kapchelal-Kasubwo road.

Mr Kurui said 250 people are currently camping at a primary school following the two landslides.

The chief said 175 people are camping at Kipyeigor Primary School after they narrowly escaped death during the weekend landslides.