Over 30 People Killed as Patel Dam in Nakuru Breaks Its Banks

More than 30 people have been confirmed dead and over 3000 residents displaced after Patel Dam in Nakuru's Solai area burst its banks on Wednesday evening causing extensive damage to homes, schools and businesses.

Residents of the Marigu, Ruiru and Akuisi farms, located near the dam have been forced to flee for safety even as several others are reported missing.

The 8pm incident brings the national death toll as a results of floods to close to 200 while about 300, 000 others are displaced.

Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang said Solai Boys High School was among schools that were extensively damaged during the incident and has been closed indefinitely.

“The bursting of the dam has caused death and massive displacements of residents in the adjacent villages. The school will remain closed until the safety of the students is restored," a statement sent to newsrooms read.

A search and rescue operation by police officers, National Youth Service (NYS) officers and Nakuru county disaster team and Kenya Redcross is still ongoing.

In a statement sent to newsrooms, Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui said the county had dispatched 15 ambulances to evacuate victims. Survivors were being taken to Bahati Sub County and Nakuru Level Five hospitals.

Nakuru East Deputy County Commissioner Omar Salat assured that the government will help the victims find temporary shelter and provide relief food.

Several people, including children, are feared trapped in the mud. The dam water spread out of the reservoir to a radius of nearly two kilometres.

"Within a short time, the water had made its way in the house and broke the door and we were all swept away," James Njuge, a victim, told the Nation from the hospital bed.

"My wife was with two children and immediately it happened, I could not trace them. Up to now, I do not know where they are," another survivor, Pius Mzee said at Nakuru Level Five Hospital.

The water dam is one of the three reservoirs constructed by a large-scale irrigation investor, Mansukul Patel, who was absent at the time of the tragedy. Reports indicate that residents had raised safety alarm over the dams, which were constructed recently.