New details have surfaced regarding the tragic flooding in Mai Mahiu, shedding light on the events leading to the disaster that struck at dawn on Monday.
Officials have identified a blocked railway drainage as the primary cause of the calamity, which resulted in catastrophic flooding.
The heavy rains that pounded the area on Sunday, coupled with conditions in the upper regions of Kinale, exacerbated the situation. The 'Dark Tunnel,' a drainage system along the railway line at Old Kijabe, became obstructed, leading to the accumulation of water. The subsequent rupture of the drainage wall unleashed floods that ravaged the area.
Chege Macharia, the executive director of Kijabe Hospital situated nearby, lamented the loss of lives and the extensive damage inflicted on Old Kijabe and Mai Mahiu, attributing it to the overflow from the blocked drainage.
Water Resources Management Authority (Warma) clarified that the flooding originated from a water-filled gulley in Kiambu County, which cascaded down to Naivasha Sub-County, dispelling initial concerns about the source being a dam.
The surge of water stemmed from a gulley adjacent to the railway line, whose blockage over time transformed it into a temporary reservoir. The torrential rains prompted the gulley to burst, sending a deluge downstream, claiming lives and causing widespread destruction.
The revelations have addressed earlier uncertainties regarding the origin of the floodwaters, which engulfed nearly 100 homes, resulting in the loss of 50 lives and leaving dozens missing in Kianduma village. Over 100 individuals have been hospitalized, while search and rescue efforts persist amidst adverse weather conditions.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua led government officials in expressing condolences to the affected communities, acknowledging the profound impact of the disaster, which has triggered a significant humanitarian crisis.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen dispatched National Youth Service (NYS) personnel to bolster search and rescue operations in Mai Mahiu. The mission, now in its second day, continues amidst ongoing discussions at the Cabinet level to address the crisis and other reported incidents across the country.
Murkomen disclosed that the death toll from flooding since the onset of the long rains has reached 300, underscoring the severity of the situation.
Meanwhile, motorists traveling along the Mai Mahiu-Suswa/Narok highway have been urged to seek alternative routes due to debris obstructing the road following the heavy downpour on Sunday night. The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) issued a cautionary alert, advising motorists to expect heavy traffic and utilize alternative routes until the affected section of the highway is cleared for safe passage.
