Mai Mahiu: Death Toll In Kijabe Dam Tragedy Hits 71, Governor Susan Kihika Confirms

• On Monday, April 29, heavy floods swept away several homes in Kamuchiri Village Mai Mahiu, Nakuru county
• Nakuru governor Susan Kihika says the number of fatalities has increased even as the search for missing people continues
• In an earlier brief, Nakuru County Police Commander Samuel Ndanyi announced the recovery of 43 bodies

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Mai Mahiu - The death toll in the Kijabe flood tragedy has hit 71 people, according to the latest information.

Death toll in Kijabe tragedy

On Monday, April 29, Nakuru governor Susan Kihika disclosed to CNN that the number of fatalities in the flooding incident had increased.

Earlier, Nakuru County Police Commander Samue Ndanyi said 43 bodies had been discovered while many are still missing after the heavy floods swept away homes and vehicles.

With the latest information, the Kijabe incident could be the worst flood-related tragedy in Kenya's history.

Kihika stated that medical staff from surrounding health facilities have been mobilised to respond to the tragedy.

"Additionally, we have evacuated critical cases to Naivasha Sub-county Hospital for specialised treatment. Medical staff from surrounding health facilities have also been mobilised to provide a unified front in the provision of medical assistance," said Kihika.

How many people died in Kona Punda boat accident

Elsewhere, more than 25 people died after a boat they were travelling in capsized at the Kona Punda area within Madogo in Tana River county on Sunday, April 28.

Kenya Red Cross confirmed the incident saying the boat was travelling to Mororo with many people on board.

The Kenya Red Cross rescue team is already at the scene responding to the situation.

What else you need to know about floods in Kenya

• In the early hours of Monday, April 29, the bustling Nairobi-Naivasha Highway in the Mai-Mahiu area bore witness to a harrowing scene as floodwaters swept away numerous vehicles at 3 am.
• Kenyan flood death toll hits 103 as the country continues to experience heavy rains
• The education ministry has postponed schools reopening as floods continue to wreak havoc in the country.
• As of Saturday, April 27, the number of deaths in the swollen River Kwa Muswii drowning tragedy hit nine.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke