FEATURED STORY

Solai dam bursts, causes deaths and destruction

Share
Share

At least 10 dead have been confirmed and 2,500 residents displaced after Nakuru’s Patel Dam broke its banks. Other reports indicate the death toll has reached 20. The incident occurred at around 7pm; several homes were swept away and extensive damage caused to schools and businesses.

An emergency response team from the Kenya Power and Electricity Company (KPLC) had to be called in to disconnect wires after several poles fell into the water.

A search and rescue operation led by police was set up and includes officers from the National Youth Service (NYS) as well as members of the public. By 1am on Thursday morning, six bodies had been retrieved downstream.

In a statement to newsrooms, area Governor Lee Kinyanjui said 15 ambulances have been dispatched to the scene to evacuate victims.

A disaster management team from the Nakuru County Government is also evacuating survivors to the Bahati Sub County and Nakuru Level Five hospitals.

The Governor also said a command centre at the office of Solai Assistant County Commissioner would help to account for those who are still missing.

A section of Solai Boys High School was damaged by the raging floods while residents of the nearby Marigu, Ruiru and Akuisi farms were forced to flee for safety.

Nakuru east deputy county commissioner Omar Salat who is doubling as the acting Nakuru county commissioner assured the victims of the government’s support.

He said that the national government will work closely with the county government in order to ensure food, medical care and beddings are supplied to the victims.

The entire Solai Trading Centre was left scattered with helmets, utensils and fish from the dam.

Credit: Citizen Digital

Written by
BT Correspondent -

editor [at] businesstoday.co.ke

Leave a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow Us

Related Articles
Milka Moraa with Affordable Housing Board officials
FEATURED STORY

Milkah Moraa, Woman Humiliated By City Pastor, To Get Affordable Housing Unit

Milka Moraa Tegisi,  a woman from Mukuru kwa Njenga slums who was...

Kenya Airways repair accreditation
FEATURED STORY

Kenya Airways to Service European Planes After Key Certification

Kenya Airways (KQ) has attained another milestone with the European Union Aviation...

Affordable Housing Project in Bomet
FEATURED STORY

How Affordable Housing Project In My Town Transformed My Life: Beneficiaries Tell Their Stories

The story of John Kipkorir, a 39-year-old renowned welder in Bomet town,...

KCB Platinum Multi-Currency Card
FEATURED STORY

KCB, Mastercard Unveil Kenya’s First Prepaid Card Supporting 11 Currencies

KCB Bank Kenya, in collaboration with Mastercard, has launched Kenya's only multi-currency...