Joint Funeral Service for Mai Mahiu Tragedy Victims Set for Thursday » Capital News
NAIROBI, KENYA, MAY 5 – Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has announced plans for a joint funeral service to honor the victims of the Mai Mahiu tragedy on Thursday.
Speaking at a church service in Kiambu on Sunday, Gachagua said the service will be held by the government jointly with churches and local leaders.
The incident claimed the lives of 58 people while 51 remain missing and 52 others sustained injuries following the incident that unfolded early Monday morning when stormwater accumulated in one of the valleys on the Kijabe Escarpment.
“Water is a formidable force. Witnessing the devastation in Mai Mahiu, where we have lost 58 lives, reminds us of its power. We will convene a funeral on Thursday, and I implore fellow leaders to join me in standing with the bereaved,” Gachagua said.
He highlighted the ongoing search and rescue operations led by the Kenya Defence Forces, in collaboration with other agencies, which are steadily recovering more bodies. This initiative was spurred by President William Ruto’s directive on Monday to involve the military in the recovery efforts.
On Sunday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said more than 227,238 people have been affected by the floods across the country since March when the heavy rains linked to El Nino started.
Additionally, he said, 72 people remain missing in various incidents nationwide, with 42,526 households displaced, affecting around 212,630 people.
“Flooding is anticipated in low-lying, riparian, and urban areas, with potential landslides and mudslides in areas with steep slopes, escarpments, and ravines,” the statement noted even as the heavy rains left a trail of destruction in Nyanza where thousands were displaced after River Nyando burst its banks.
As a result of the ongoing heavy rains, President William Ruto has ordered an indefinite extension of the reopening of schools, originally scheduled for Monday.
The Interior Ministry highlighted severe impacts in Marsabit, Tharaka Nithi, Baringo, Kisumu, Nakuru, Machakos, Uasin Gishu, Busia, Laikipia, Nyandarua, Trans Nzoia, Nairobi, Wajir, Mandera, Bomet, Kajiado, Embu, and Nyeri Counties.
The excessive rainfall has led to river and sewer overflow, transforming roads into waterways and devastating homes.
The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned of continued heavy rains throughout May, particularly affecting Nairobi, the Coastal region, Rift Valley, Central, and parts of Nyanza.
The government on Sunday reiterated the urgency for people residing in riparian corridors and other water courses to vacate immediately to prevent disaster. Logistical support will be provided to facilitate evacuation from settlements in 33 high-risk counties with 178 at-risk dams and water reservoirs.
“A nationwide assessment identified 192 high-risk dams, with Central (60), Eastern (39), Rift Valley (29), Coast (22), Western (21), Nairobi (12), North Eastern (5), and Nyanza (4),” the ministry stated.
County Security Committees are actively evacuating residents living in landslide and mudslide-prone areas across various counties.
Forecasts indicate continued moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms in coastal, Western, Lake Victoria basin, Central, Eastern, Rift Valley, and Kajiado regions. Conversely, most parts of North West, North Eastern, and South Eastern Kenya are expected to remain dry.
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