Kenya dam collapse: At least 40 killed by disastrous floodwaters | Evening Standard

Kenya dam collapse: At least 40 killed by disastrous floodwaters

The East African country has seen deadly floods caused by ongoing rains
The dam burst in Kamuchiri Village Mai Mahiu, Nakuru County
AP
Jordan King29 April 2024

At least 40 people died after a dam collapsed in Kenya and floodwaters swept through houses and cut off a major road.

The Old Kijabe Dam located in the Mai Mahiu area of the Great Rift Valley region, which is prone to flash flooding, collapsed on Monday morning.

Ongoing rains in Kenya have caused flooding that has killed nearly 100 people and caused the opening of schools to be postponed.

Heavy rains have been pounding the country since mid-March and the Meteorology Department has warned of more rainfall.

The East African region is experiencing flooding due to the heavy rains, and 155 people have reportedly died in Tanzania while more than 200,000 people are affected in neighboring Burundi.

People try to clear the area after a dam burst
AP

Kenya's main airport was flooded on Saturday, forcing some flights to be diverted, as videos of a flooded runway, terminals and cargo section were shared online.

More than 200,000 people across Kenya the country have been affected by the floods, with houses in flood-prone areas submerged and people seeking refuge in schools.

President William Ruto had instructed the National Youth Service to provide land for use as a temporary camp for those affected.