First Lady Rachel Ruto has presided over the handover of 53 housing units constructed by the National Youth Service (NYS) for families displaced by the devastating landslide that struck Chesongoch in Elgeyo Marakwet County on November 1, 2025.
The handover marks a major milestone in the recovery efforts for families whose lives were disrupted by the disaster, providing them with an opportunity to rebuild their lives in safer surroundings.
The 53 completed houses are part of a total of 55 housing units earmarked for affected households, with the new homes expected to restore dignity, security and stability among the beneficiaries.
Speaking during the ceremony, Rachel Ruto described the handover as the beginning of a new chapter for the affected communities, emphasising the importance of peace, stability and collective support in rebuilding lives.
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to helping affected families recover from the disaster and regain their dignity through access to secure and decent housing.
The Chairman of the NYS Council, retired Lieutenant General Adan K. Mulata, highlighted the Service’s critical role in responding to the landslide, noting that NYS personnel were among the first responders following the disaster.
According to Mulata, NYS officers participated in search-and-rescue operations and helped reopen access roads to facilitate emergency response and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to affected communities.
The construction of the housing units further demonstrates NYS’s contribution to national development through its technical expertise, workforce and community service initiatives.
The handover ceremony brought together NYS Commandant General James K. Tembur, Interior Cabinet Secretary, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor, local leaders and representatives of corporate organisations involved in the recovery efforts.
