“Several people have been taken to a health facility in Mai Mahiu due to flash floods affecting Kamuchiri Village. The floodwaters are reported to have originated from a nearby river that broke its banks,” Kenya Red Cross said.
Confirming the tragedy, Naivasha police commander Stephen Kirui said missions to rescue more residents are ongoing noting that the ones already saved have been rushed to Naivasha Hospital for treatment.
The flood death toll that is already nearing 100 in the country may increase as the search and rescue mission goes on in the area.
The incident cut the major road from Nairobi to Mai Mahiu after heaps of rocks, mud and logs were dumped there leaving road users stranded.
Heavy rains are being experienced in many parts of the country amid calls for caution.
Teams from the Kenya Police, County Disaster team, Kenya Red Cross and community members are at the scene, officials said.
Several people have been taken to a health facility in Mai Mahiu due to flash floods affecting Kamuchiri Village.
The floodwaters are reported to have originated from a nearby river that broke its banks.
The Kenya Police, County Disaster team, Kenya Red Cross and community… pic.twitter.com/fgcuyGDaBJ
— Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross) April 29, 2024
This even as the government postponed the scheduled school reopening to Monday May 6,2024 following the heavy rains being experienced in the country.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu said sending students and staff to the affected schools would be putting their lives at risk, hence the decision to postpone the reopening.
“The devastating effects of the rains in some of the schools are so severe that it will be imprudent to risk the lives of learners and staff before water-tight measures are put in place to ensure adequate safety of all affected school communities,” Machogu said.
“Based on this assessment, the Ministry of Education has resolved to postpone the reopening of all primary and secondary schools by one week, to Monday, May 6, 2024.”
He added that they will also provide regular updates on all developments relating to the education sector.