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At Least 45 People Are Killed and 110 Injured in Central Kenya Due to Flash Floods and Landslide

12:21, 30 April 2024

Christina Glazkova

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On Monday, a dam burst near Kenya's Mai Mahiu town, located approximately 50 km northwest of the capital Nairobi, washing away houses and cutting off a road as heavy rains and floods battered the country.

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At least 45 people were killed and over 110 others were injured on Monday in central Kenya due to flash floods and a landslide, the government said.

"While 45 bodies have already been retrieved along the path of the flash floods and the landslide, search, rescue and recovery are ongoing, and support for the survivors has been mobilized. Over 110 persons have been rescued so far and are recuperating in various hospitals within Nakuru County," interior minister Kithure Kindiki said in a statement.

The police reportedly initially attributed the inundation to a ruptured dam; however, the ministry of water subsequently stated that it was caused by debris obstructing a river tunnel beneath a railroad embankment.

"The channel got blocked due to debris, stones, trees and soil brought about by the heavy downpour in the area, thereby preventing water flowing through the River Tongi course and its small tributaries to move downstream. [...] The water swept the railway line and started moving downstream with a very high speed and velocity, causing destruction of property and loss of lives [...]," the ministry said.

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Furthermore, Kipchumba Murkomen, minister of roads and transportation, reportedly expressed concern that the death toll in Mai Mahiu might increase.

The government, according to Murkomen, has also developed a "wider plan" to help those affected and rebuild damaged infrastructure. It also urged citizens to leave flood-prone areas, refrain from crossing flooded rivers, and avoid traveling at night as much as possible.

The reopening of schools, which was supposed to happen this week, was delayed by a week.

East Africa suffered severe flooding during the last rainy season at the end of 2023, which may be linked to climate change causing more intense and frequent extreme weather events.

The total death toll in Kenya from heavy rains and floods since last month has exceeded 140, according to media reports, and more than 185,000 people have been forced to flee their homes.

In the capital Nairobi alone, about 10,000 people were forced to flee their homes, President William Ruto told Western media, calling all those affected victims of climate change.