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By: Bernard K. ROP.
Geofountain Synergy Consultancy,
P.O. Box 7702 – 00200,
Nairobi, Kenya.
Abstract: The Kapkese landslide disaster struck again in December 2015, precipitated by intense, prolonged heavy rainfall from El Niño rainstorms that devastated much of Kenya. Located in the remote Kokwet Location within Kipkelion West Constituency, Kenya, this rural village has endured recurrent geohazards, most notably a deadly May 2003 event that buried a homestead, resulting in the tragic loss of a mother and her three young daughters. These incidents have caused profound geo-environmental disruptions, compelling affected villagers to abandon their ancestral homesteads and migrate to safer, often distant locations, exacerbating socio-economic vulnerabilities. This study systematically documented landslide susceptibility through participatory rural appraisal (PRA) methodologies, which incorporated adoptive indigenous mitigation strategies alongside precise geotechnical surveys using an Abney level to quantify slope angles (approximately 80°) and identify triggering mechanisms. Geological investigations disclosed a precarious terrain featuring steep escarpments composed of Tertiary volcanic lithologies—primarily basalts and nephelinites—overlain by expansive layers of unconsolidated black cotton soils (vertisols) and colluvial debris prone to mobilisation. Anthropogenic factors, including sparse vegetative cover from intensive subsistence farming of maize and commercial coffee plantations, further amplified risks when combined with extreme climatic events. The disasters precipitated multifaceted impacts: human casualties and injuries, extensive property damage, disruption of livelihoods, and environmental degradation such as siltation of vital water points and springs. To foster long-term resilience, targeted mitigation measures are proposed, encompassing high-resolution geo-hazard mapping and risk zoning, structural engineering solutions (e.g., retaining walls, terracing, and improved drainage), regulatory enforcement of land-use planning, and community-driven agroforestry initiatives on vulnerable steep slopes to restore ecological stability and curb poor land management practices.
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