Residents across parts of western Kenya were left uneasy late Wednesday night after what many described as an earth tremor shook homes and rattled windows.

The shaking was reported shortly after 11.20pm on December 17, with residents in Homa Bay, Migori, Nyamira and Kisii counties saying the ground moved for several moments before settling.

Volcano Discovery, a global platform that tracks seismic activity, said the tremor was felt at around 11.27pm local time. While the site noted signs of an earth movement, it stressed that key details such as magnitude and depth were still unclear.

“A possible earthquake might have occurred near Kisii and Homa Bay late in the evening,” the platform said. “The event was felt, but confirmation from official seismic agencies is still pending.”

Towns report mild shaking

People in several towns said they felt light but noticeable movement. Among the areas mentioned were Oyugis, Awendo, Katito, Kebirigo, Sondu, Rongo and Ogembo. Parts of Homa Bay town also reported weak shaking.

Oyugis, which serves a population of more than 200,000 people, was among the places where residents described brief vibrations that caused buildings to tremble slightly.

“It felt like the house shifted for a few seconds,” said a resident of Rongo, who asked not to be named. “Nothing fell, but it was enough to make people step outside.”

Others shared similar accounts, saying the tremor was mild but unsettling, especially given the late hour.

No official confirmation yet

By Thursday morning, Kenya’s key agencies, including the Kenya Meteorological Department and the National Disaster Management Authority, had not issued a formal statement confirming the tremor.

Officials have in the past urged the public to remain calm after such reports, noting that not all ground movements develop into significant earthquakes. Verification usually depends on data from seismic monitoring stations.

Not an isolated experience

Kenya has seen similar reports before. In May this year, residents in Nairobi and nearby towns reported tremors during the late morning hours. Areas such as Westlands, Parklands, Kangemi and Mlolongo were among those affected.

Those earlier incidents also caused brief alarm before authorities confirmed there was no major damage.

For now, residents in western Kenya are waiting for official word. Until then, experts advise caution, calm and reliance on updates from recognised agencies rather than speculation.