The number of people who died after a dam burst in Subukia, Nakuru county, has risen to 32, the Kenya Red Cross has confirmed.
Interior CS Dr Fred Matiang’i and Inspector General of Police on Thursday joined in person the search and rescue of victims who have been washed away by Patel Dam at Solai waters, in Subukia, Nakuru County.
As of Thursday afternoon, the number of people who had perished had increased to 32, even as rescue operations including multi government agencies intensified.
Red Cross said tens of people were unaccounted for and that 39 were rescued and taken to Bahati Sub-County and Nakuru Level 5 Hospitals.
The walls of Dam are said to have caved in due to the high volumes of water following heavy rains that have been pounding the country.
The water moved more than seven kilometres, affecting at least 500 families and 2,500 people.
The floodwaters swept away powerlines, homes and buildings, including a primary school, a Reuters photographer on the scene said, as rescue workers picked through rubble and mud searching for survivors.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, IG Joseph Boinnet, Governor Lee Kinyanjui, Kabazi MCA Peter Mbae and other local leaders visited the scene to assess search and rescue operations.
At least 200 Kenya Defence Forces soldiers arrived in choppers to help Red Cross and the county.
The mega dam is located inside the farm of prominent farmer Mansukul Patel in Solai.
