A dam collapsed in western Kenya, killing at least 40 people as a wall of water swept through houses and cut off a major road. The Old Kijabe Dam in the Mai Mahiu area of the Great Rift Valley region collapsed, causing water to spill downstream along with mud, rocks, and uprooted trees. Vehicles were trapped in the debris on a busy highway, and paramedics worked to treat the injured. Ongoing heavy rains in Kenya have caused significant flooding, leading to nearly 100 deaths and the postponement of the opening of schools. The Meteorology Department has warned of more rainfall, exacerbating the situation.
Following the dam collapse, Kenya’s Interior Minister ordered the inspection of all public and private dams and water reservoirs within 24 hours to prevent future incidents. The Ministry stated that recommendations for evacuations and resettlement would be made after the inspection. The Kenya National Highways Authority issued an alert warning motorists to expect heavy traffic and road blockages around Naivasha and Narok, located west of the capital, Nairobi. The broader East African region has also experienced flooding, with 155 reported deaths in Tanzania and over 200,000 people affected in neighboring Burundi.
In addition to the dam collapse, other incidents related to the flooding have occurred in Kenya. A boat capsized in Garissa county, and while the Kenyan Red Cross was able to rescue 23 people, more than a dozen individuals were still missing. The main airport in Kenya was flooded, resulting in some flights being diverted. Videos of the flooded runway, terminals, and cargo section were shared online, highlighting the extent of the flooding. More than 200,000 people across Kenya have been affected by the floods, with homes in flood-prone areas submerged and individuals seeking refuge in schools.
In response to the flooding crisis, President William Ruto instructed the National Youth Service to provide land for use as a temporary camp for those affected. As the situation continues to unfold, authorities are working to provide assistance and support to those impacted by the floods. The heavy rains and resulting flooding in Kenya have underscored the importance of disaster preparedness and infrastructure maintenance to prevent such tragic events in the future. The government, aid agencies, and the local community are mobilizing resources to aid those affected and to address the ongoing challenges posed by the flooding in the region.
