At least 42 individuals lost their lives in flooding in Mai Mahiu, central Kenya, following a dam breach on Monday. Images shared by Kenyan media, the Kenya Red Cross, and highway authorities depict the aftermath, including damaged trees and a car trapped in logs and mud.
Naivasha police commander Stephen Kirui stated that 42 bodies, including 17 minors, have been recovered, with rescue efforts ongoing. Earlier, the Kenya Red Cross transported multiple individuals to a local health facility due to flash flooding.
The recent fatalities add to a toll exceeding 140 from heavy rains and flooding over the past month. Excluding the Mai Mahiu incident, government data indicates 103 fatalities and over 185,000 displacements as of Monday.
Additionally, the Kenya Red Cross reported retrieving two bodies following a boat capsizing in the Tana River, Garissa County, on Sunday.
Elsewhere in East Africa, including Tanzania and Burundi, numerous deaths and displacements occurred due to intense rainfall.
The floods inflicted extensive damage on infrastructure like roads and bridges. Although a road underpass at Nairobi’s international airport was flooded, flights continued as usual, according to the Kenya Airports Authority. Concerns arose regarding potential downstream overflow from filled hydroelectric dams, as stated by a government spokesperson.
East Africa experienced unprecedented floods during the previous rainy season in late 2023, attributed to climate change by scientists. Due to severe effects on schools, Kenya’s education ministry postponed the start of the new school term by one week.
