A tragedy of big proportion is unfolding in Mai Mahiu where a flooded dam broke its banks and burst due to torrential rains, sweeping through homes, killing and maiming both human and livestock in its wake.
As the rescue and recovery operations gets underway 42 deaths have been confirmed 17 of them being children as rescuers continue to dig through the muddy rumble left by the devastating waters from the dam.
Residents says the dam broke around 2:00am when people were already asleep catching most of the victims unawares. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has cancelled his day’s engagements and is expected at Mai Mahiu to access the situation and lead the humanitarian efforts required.
The tragedy occurred following days of heavy rains that have pounded the entire country with the death toll now closing to the 200 mark. The goevernment has also postponed the opening of the schools for the term two by a week, hoping that by then, the rains will have subsided.
In Murang’a more deaths were reported this morning after a landslide swept homes at Kiganjo Gitugi village in Mathioya.
Two people were retrieved from the homes covered in mud as operations to retrieve all those trapped went underway.
And in Nairobi motorists spent the night stranded on Thika Road after the Superhighway got flooded and became impassable at Kahawa Baracks.
Similar incidents were reported on Easternbypass near Ruai and Kamiti Road that was cut off at Maziwa Gardens.
The Mai Mahiu incident occurred after a dam in Old Kijabe broke its banks and spilled millions of litres of water downstream sweeping homes along the way as occupants slept.
Following the incident the goverment through KENHA issued a traffic advisory after roads were washed away.
“Heavy rains in the catchment areas of Kinale and Kijabe have led water courses to experience an upsurge which has led to the washing away of debris and several houses.
KeNHA informs the public that the following road sections are now impassable:
- Approximately 700m from Mai Mahiu towards Naivasha.
- Approximately 1km from Mai Mahiu towards Suswa/Narok.
These areas are heavily affected, with road blockages reported. Currently, traffic is at a standstill around Mai Mahiu centre.
The Authority is mobilizing efforts to clear the road and assess damages.
Motorists are advised to expect high traffic congestion around Mai Mahiu. Road users are expected to plan their routes accordingly and exercise caution when traveling through the affected areas.”
