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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1. Ahmed F. and Almond D. C. (1983): Field mapping for geological students. George Allen & Unwin, pp.72.
2. Allaby A. and Allaby M. (1990): Edition: Concise Dictionary of Earth Sciences. Oxford University Press, pp.404.
3. Binge F .W. (1962): Geology of The Kericho Area, Report No. 50.
4. Cunningham W. P. and Siago B. W. (2001): Environmental Science, A global concern (6^th Edition). McGraw-Hill, pp.646.
5. Government of Kenya (1999): Kenya Population Census,.
6. Kipseba E., Ogora M., Kotut J., Kurgat H., Borura G. and Maina G. ( 2008):  Landslide Prone Areas Along Part of the Nandi Escarpment  (unpublished internal report).
7. Lugens F. K. and Tarbuck E. J. (1982): Essentials of Geology (3^rd Edition). Merrill Publishing Co., pp.378.
8. Ndola T. (2005):  Geohazard Inventory Mapping and Monitoring In The Rift Valley Province (unpublished internal report).
9. Patwardhan A. M. (1999): The Dynamic Earth System. Prentice-Hall of India, pp.404.
10. Rop, B. K., Cheruiyot Keter, M., & Namwiba, W. H. (2024). Economic potential of Kericho Ainamoi bauxite: A geological evaluation approach report. LAP Lambert Academic Publishing.
11. Rop, B. K., Namwiba, W. H., & Rwahubungu Rwatangabo, D. E. (2023). ASM geological rocks and minerals uses: An illustrative comparative lab manual. LAP Lambert Academic Publishing.
12. Rop, B. K., & Namwiba, W. H. (2023a). Fundamentals of soil mechanics: A competency and evaluation based class lecture manual. Scholar’s Press.
13. Rop, B. K., & Namwiba, W. H. (2023b). Laboratory manual in soil mechanics: Essential procedures for testing and reporting. Scholar’s Press.
14. Rop, B. K., & Namwiba, W. H. (2023d). Applied geology and evaluation perspective. Scholar’s Press.
15. Rop, B. K., Rwahubungu Rwatangabo, D. E., & Namwiba, W. H. (2023f). Properties, occurrences and uses of minerals and rocks: A comparative illustrative approach. Scholar’s Press.
16. Rop, B. K., Wangari, J. M., & Namwiba, W. H. (2022). Fundamentals of laboratory practices in mineralogy and petrology: Mineralogy and petrology (A handbook for comparative studies). Scholar’s Press.
17. Rop, B. K. (2021a). Petroleum perspective of the NW-Kenya basins: Evidence and emerging oil exploration issues. LAP Lambert Academic Publishing.
18. Rop, B. K., & Kipkiror, L. J. (2021b). Marakwet East Lagam Escarpment landslides: Mitigation measures, Kenya. Scholar’s Press.
19. Rop, B. K., Fedha, I. M., & Namwiba, W. H. (2021c). Workshop and laboratory practices: A competency and evaluation based guide. Scholar’s Press.
20. Rop, B. K., Nyamai, C. M., & Namwiba, W. H. (2020a). Narrative glossary of fundamentals for applied geology: A construction perspective. Scholar’s Press.
21. Rop, B. K., Rwahubungu Rwatangabo, D. E., & Namwiba, W. H. (2020b). Applied geology in mining and construction practice: A competency and geohazard mitigation platform. Scholar’s Press.
22. Rop, B. K., Namwiba, W. H., & Mwanganga, F. R. (2020c). Contemporary geology as applied to mining and construction with geohazard awareness: Competency-based approach lecture manual. Scholar’s Press.
23. Rop, B. K., & Namwiba, W. H. (2019). Applied geology in construction practice: A companion for infrastructural development. Scholar’s Press.
24. Rop, B. K. (2018). Design and implementation of degree programmes in applied geology. University of Deusto Bilbao.
25. Siddhartha K. (1999): The Earths Dynamic Surface. Kisalaya Publications. Pvt. Ltd., pp.492.

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.

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Ahmed F. and Almond D. C. (1983): Field mapping for geological students. George Allen & Unwin, pp.72.
2. Allaby A. and Allaby M. (1990): Edition: Concise Dictionary of Earth Sciences. Oxford University Press, pp.404.
3. Binge F .W. (1962): Geology of The Kericho Area, Report No. 50.
4. Cunningham W. P. and Siago B. W. (2001): Environmental Science, A global concern (6^th Edition). McGraw-Hill, pp.646.
5. Government of Kenya (1999): Kenya Population Census,.
6. Kipseba E., Ogora M., Kotut J., Kurgat H., Borura G. and Maina G. ( 2008):  Landslide Prone Areas Along Part of the Nandi Escarpment  (unpublished internal report).
7. Lugens F. K. and Tarbuck E. J. (1982): Essentials of Geology (3^rd Edition). Merrill Publishing Co., pp.378.
8. Ndola T. (2005):  Geohazard Inventory Mapping and Monitoring In The Rift Valley Province (unpublished internal report).
9. Patwardhan A. M. (1999): The Dynamic Earth System. Prentice-Hall of India, pp.404.
10. Rop, B. K., Cheruiyot Keter, M., & Namwiba, W. H. (2024). Economic potential of Kericho Ainamoi bauxite: A geological evaluation approach report. LAP Lambert Academic Publishing.
11. Rop, B. K., Namwiba, W. H., & Rwahubungu Rwatangabo, D. E. (2023). ASM geological rocks and minerals uses: An illustrative comparative lab manual. LAP Lambert Academic Publishing.
12. Rop, B. K., & Namwiba, W. H. (2023a). Fundamentals of soil mechanics: A competency and evaluation based class lecture manual. Scholar’s Press.
13. Rop, B. K., & Namwiba, W. H. (2023b). Laboratory manual in soil mechanics: Essential procedures for testing and reporting. Scholar’s Press.
14. Rop, B. K., & Namwiba, W. H. (2023d). Applied geology and evaluation perspective. Scholar’s Press.
15. Rop, B. K., Rwahubungu Rwatangabo, D. E., & Namwiba, W. H. (2023f). Properties, occurrences and uses of minerals and rocks: A comparative illustrative approach. Scholar’s Press.
16. Rop, B. K., Wangari, J. M., & Namwiba, W. H. (2022). Fundamentals of laboratory practices in mineralogy and petrology: Mineralogy and petrology (A handbook for comparative studies). Scholar’s Press.
17. Rop, B. K. (2021a). Petroleum perspective of the NW-Kenya basins: Evidence and emerging oil exploration issues. LAP Lambert Academic Publishing.
18. Rop, B. K., & Kipkiror, L. J. (2021b). Marakwet East Lagam Escarpment landslides: Mitigation measures, Kenya. Scholar’s Press.
19. Rop, B. K., Fedha, I. M., & Namwiba, W. H. (2021c). Workshop and laboratory practices: A competency and evaluation based guide. Scholar’s Press.
20. Rop, B. K., Nyamai, C. M., & Namwiba, W. H. (2020a). Narrative glossary of fundamentals for applied geology: A construction perspective. Scholar’s Press.
21. Rop, B. K., Rwahubungu Rwatangabo, D. E., & Namwiba, W. H. (2020b). Applied geology in mining and construction practice: A competency and geohazard mitigation platform. Scholar’s Press.
22. Rop, B. K., Namwiba, W. H., & Mwanganga, F. R. (2020c). Contemporary geology as applied to mining and construction with geohazard awareness: Competency-based approach lecture manual. Scholar’s Press.
23. Rop, B. K., & Namwiba, W. H. (2019). Applied geology in construction practice: A companion for infrastructural development. Scholar’s Press.
24. Rop, B. K. (2018). Design and implementation of degree programmes in applied geology. University of Deusto Bilbao.
25. Siddhartha K. (1999): The Earths Dynamic Surface. Kisalaya Publications. Pvt. Ltd., pp.492.