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Image: GEORGE MURAGE
A total of 28 minors lost their lives in the Mai Mahiu dam tragedy as the death toll hit 52 with search and rescue operations expanded to nearby dams.
This came as the Ministry of Water embarked on the process of mapping out all mega dams amid reports that many had filled up and were spilling water.
According to the CS for Water Zachariah Njeru, the ministry was on high alert as the heavy rains continued to pound parts of the country leaving a trail of destruction.
He was quick to note that despite the dams spilling, they were safe, adding that Water Resource Authority officers were on the ground monitoring them.
Speaking in Ngewa Secondary School after visiting victims of the Mai Mahiu dam tragedy, Njeru promised full government support to all those who were displaced by the floods.
“The government has sent more personnel from KDF and NYS to assist the victims of this tragedy and to make sure that all the missing bodies are recovered,” he said.
The CS added that plans were underway to construct 100 mega dams and another 1,000 medium dams to harvest rains across the country.
Nakuru County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara confirmed the recovery of 52 bodies with 36 still missing, adding that the search would continue until all the bodies were recovered.
“Of the 52 bodies recovered so far, 28 are minors and relatives have managed to so far identify 48 while another 36 are missing as the search exercise enters day five,” he said.
He said plans are underway to close the IDP camps with a view of resettling those affected in rental houses and in a nearby Children’s home.
On his part, Felix Maiyo from Kenya Red Cross said they are tracing and linking in a move that had seen the number of missing persons reduce from 84 to 36.
“We are overwhelmed by the demands across the country but we are working with partners to support all those who have been affected by heavy rains,” he said.
The CEC for Public Service and Disaster Management in Nakuru Jackie Osoro said the county government would pay three months’ rent for 46 households displaced by the rains.
“We are calling on other stakeholders to chip in and assist these families restart their lives, the county has set aside Sh700,000 for resettling those who lived in rental houses,” she said.