Mai Mahiu villagers speak out after devastating dam burst
The death toll in the Mai Mahiu tragedy has risen to 40 and more than 15 families have been displaced after a blocked gully burst burst on Monday morning, April 29.
Nakuru County Police Commander Samuel Ndanyi said on Monday that at least 40 bodies had been recovered and that search and rescue operations were underway.
There are fears that the death toll could rise as ‘many people’ are still unaccounted for, according to locals.
Naivasha sub-County Police Commander Stephen Kirui said that several people could be trapped in the mud.
“A search and rescue operation is underway after a dam in Old Kijabe burst and flooded part of Mai Mahiu town in Naivasha. The old dam burst early Monday morning before the water swept away several houses. Several people have also been rushed to hospital,” Mr Kirui said.
One resident told the Nation that the water gushed out and swept away more than ten houses in the neighbourhood. Dozens of people, including children, are feared trapped in the mud.
Rescue efforts by the Kenya Red Cross and Nakuru County disaster management teams are ongoing, with most of the victims rushed to Naivasha Sub County Hospital.
By 9 am, at least 15 people had been rescued from the mud and rushed to Naivasha Sub County Hospital. A police officer at the scene said rescuers were still combing through collapsed houses to rescue victims.
Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara said the floods had caused huge destruction.
“The extent of the damage is yet to be assessed, but the rescue operation is underway,” the MP said.
At the same time, the Kenya National Highway Authority has issued a traffic advisory to motorists using the Mai Mahiu-Naivasha highway.
“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,” reads a statement by KeNHA.
According to KeNHA, some sections of the highway are impassable. The sections include; -Approximately 700m from Mai Mahiu towards Naivasha and 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,” KeNHA added.
Motorists have been advised to expect high traffic congestion around Mai Mahiu, following the incident.