At least 63 lives have been tragically lost, and numerous others are feared missing, following the rupture of a dam in southern Kenya. The catastrophe, which occurred amidst weeks of relentless rainfall and devastating flash floods, has left a trail of destruction, sweeping away homes and vehicles in its wake.Rescue teams are tirelessly working to sift through the mud and debris in a desperate search for survivors near Mai Mahiu, situated in Kenya’s Nakuru County. Governor Susan Kihika Expressed grave concern, cautioning that the death toll could potentially escalate significantly as the situation unfolds.
The dam breach comes as Kenya grapples with extensive flooding that has inundated vast areas of the country. According to government spokesperson Isaac Maigua Mwaura, the floods have already claimed the lives of at least 103 people since March, forcing thousands from their homes. In Mai Mahiu, Governor Kihika described a dire scenario as floodwaters wreak havoc, sweeping away both people and homes. She emphasized the overwhelming nature of the situation, stressing that efforts are underway to reach those who may still be alive amidst the devastation.
Access to Mai Mahiu, located 20 miles north of Nairobi, has been severely hampered due to road damage caused by the heavy rains. Rescue teams are tirelessly clearing debris as they strive to reach survivors and recover the bodies of those lost. The Kenya Red Cross Society reported that several individuals were transported to a health facility in Mai Mahiu in response to the flash floods affecting Kamuchiri village. The organization noted that the floodwaters originated from a nearby river that breached its banks, exacerbating the crisis.
Kenya has been grappling with relentless rain since mid-March, with precipitation intensifying over recent weeks, resulting in widespread flooding. Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General and CEO of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), highlighted the severity of the situation, attributing it to the combined impact of El Niño and the ongoing March-May 2024 long rains. El Niño, a climate pattern originating in the Pacific Ocean, has triggered devastating floods and river overflows since November 2023, claiming numerous lives and inflicting extensive damage across the country.
The Ministry of Education in Kenya has announced a delay in the reopening of schools across the country due to widespread flooding. In a statement issued on Monday, the Cabinet Secretary of the ministry, Ezekiel Machogu, stated that the start of the second term would be postponed by one week due to the heavy rains which have affected numerous schools in the country.
Originally scheduled to commence on April 29, primary and secondary schools will now reopen on Monday, May 6, 2024. The decision comes as Kenya grapples with extensive flooding that has been ongoing since March, resulting in the loss of over 70 lives and affecting more than 40,000 people, as well as damaging 100 classrooms.
The East African region as a whole has been experiencing flooding as a consequence of the persistent heavy rainfall. Reports indicate that over 150 people have tragically lost their lives in Tanzania, while more than 200,000 individuals have been affected in neighboring Burundi.
“In light of the ongoing heavy rains, the Ministry of Education directed its field officers last week to collect data from all Basic Education Learning Institutions nationwide to assist the government in evaluating the readiness of schools for the Second Term opening on Monday, April 29, 2024,” the statement read.
The ministry further elaborated that the data revealed schools in various regions being affected, with severe impacts felt across school communities due to the relentless rain. They assured that they are collaborating with relevant agencies to implement robust measures in affected schools and provide updates to the public.
“Reports received by the Ministry of Education, supported by data from other relevant government agencies, indicate that the number of schools in various regions of the country affected by the rain is significant.”
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