Rachel Ruto Hands Over 53 Houses to Chesongoch Mudslide Victims [Photos]

First Lady Rachel Ruto has handed over 53 houses to families affected by the devastating October 2025 mudslide in Chesongoch, Elgeyo Marakwet County.

In a statement on Wednesday, October 21, Rachel said the housing handover marked a fresh beginning for families who had endured the devastating effects of the disaster.

"The handover of 53 houses to families affected by the devastating October 2025 mudslide in Chesongoch, Elgeyo Marakwet County, marks a renewed chapter of hope after a tragedy that claimed more than 30 lives and destroyed homes and livelihoods," she wrote.

Beyond providing housing, the initiative also included plans to establish facilities aimed at expanding opportunities for women and young people in the affected community.

Rachel said the foundation had also been laid for a resource centre and an information and communication technology (ICT) hub in Chesongoch.

"Beyond shelter, we laid the foundation for a Chesongoch Resource Centre and ICT Hub to expand opportunities for women and young people," she added.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the recovery efforts were intended to help affected families regain stability while strengthening communities against future disasters.

He noted that rebuilding after a disaster required more than replacing destroyed homes, noting the importance of restoring hope and laying the groundwork for a better future.

"Rebuilding lives after a disaster means restoring hope, securing communities and creating a foundation for a better future," he wrote.

Murkomen added that the government was also pursuing environmental restoration measures in the area in collaboration with the First Lady's foundation and other stakeholders.

"Beyond the housing intervention, we are implementing a long-term environmental restoration program in partnership with the First Lady’s foundation and other stakeholders," he added.

Elsewhere, a community digital hub in Siaya County is equipping young people with market-driven digital skills and connecting them to remote work opportunities.

In a statement on Wednesday, October 21, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the initiative was opening opportunities for young people to acquire digital skills, access international markets and build sustainable livelihoods.

"Kenya's expanding cyberspace under the Digital Superhighway initiative of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) is opening new pathways for young people to acquire digital skills, access global markets and build sustainable livelihoods," he wrote.

In Siaya, the Community Digital Hub is translating this ambition into practical opportunities by providing training tailored to the demands of the digital economy and linking learners to remote employment.

Founded by Siaya Senator and ODM Party Leader Dr Oburu Oginga, the facility was officially inaugurated by President William Ruto in March 2026. 

Omollo said the hub is currently serves approximately 150 learners and operates entirely on solar energy.

According to Omollo, the hub has 200 computers and offers affordable training in data analysis, digital marketing, basic cybersecurity, graphic design, video production, programming, web development and networking.

Most of its training programmes run for six months, giving learners time to develop practical skills that can help them compete for opportunities in the digital economy.

Beyond training, the facility provides free public internet, a business incubator and co-working space to support young entrepreneurs and digital professionals. 

It also houses a business process outsourcing (BPO) centre that connects digital workers to clients in Kenya and international markets.

"It is the first community digital hub in Kenya to establish a BPO centre, marking a significant step in expanding digitally enabled work beyond the major urban centres," he further said.

The facility is also expanding its education programmes through Jaramogi Training College, a registered college focusing on artificial intelligence (AI), which is scheduled to launch in November 2026.

In addition to its training programmes, the hub is working with community-based organisations (CBOs), the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Siaya Branch and other partners to widen digital literacy across the region.

"It is also working with CBOs, KUPPET Siaya Branch and other partners to widen digital literacy, while preparing to host the inaugural Nyanza Digital Summit from 2–4 December 2026 in collaboration with the Ministry and other stakeholders," he noted.