At least 32 people have been confirmed dead and hundreds of families displaced after the walls of Patel Dam in Solai, Nakuru County, broke down on Wednesday night.
Rongai police boss Japheth Kioko on Thursday said 32 bodies had been recovered, with search and rescue operation ongoing.
There are fears of the toll rising further because “many people” are still unaccounted for, according to local leaders.
On Wednesday evening, Patel dam in Solai, Subukia Sub-County burst its banks. The water has caused huge destruction of both life and property. The extent of the damage is yet to be ascertained.
The County Government of Nakuru, Kenya Red Cross and the local leadership are coordinating rescue operations. The county dispatched ambulances to the scene to aid in evacuation of victims.
Below is the Patel dam in Solai tragedy’s timeline:
11.15 am death toll rises to 31 Death toll reaches 31; NYS, KDF, Red Cross, police and Nakuru County government continue with search and rescue operation, CS Fred Matiangi arrives at the scene.
8:30 am a total of 20 bodies retrieved Rongai OCPD Japheth Kioko confirms 20 bodies recovered; fears death toll could rise. Interior CS also leaves Nairobi for Patel Dam in Solai to oversee rescue operation.
6:00 am death toll rises to 10: The rescue teams have managed to retrieve 10 bodies as Red Cross reports it has so far rescued 40 people and rushed them to various health facilities in Subukia and Rift Valley General Provincial Hospital.
12:00 am seven people confirmed dead: Police, Red Cross, NYS and the Nakuru County Government workers continue rescue operation. The joint team recovers seven bodies while several people are rushed to hospital. So far over 300 homes are confirmed to have been affected.
7:30 pm (Wednesday): police help sought. It is now confirmed that Patel Dam in Solai, Nakuru County sitting on approximately 1 acre broke its banks, flooding the nearby shopping centre and the expansive Nyakinyua Farm bordering the dam. Unknown number of people reported missing.
7:00 pm (Wednesday) Patel Dam in Solai bursts its banks Locals at Solai shopping centre talk of a huge explosion” before seeing a cloud of water move their way.
