Mai Mahiu Man Inconsolable As He Recounts Losing His Sons In Deadly Floods: "Sasa Nifanye Nini"

• Grishon Waiganjo, along with many other families, is grappling with the tragic loss of loved ones due to floods in Mai Mahiu
• Waiganjo recounted how he sensed the forceful flow of water and promptly alerted his family, ultimately saving some of their lives
• Despite his efforts, Waiganjo's sons tragically perished in the flood, and he mourned their loss alongside the devastation of his property

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nakuru - Grishon Waiganjo is among tens of families coming to terms with the tragic death of their kin following floods in Mai Mahiu.

During an interview with BBC News, Waiganjo revealed that he sensed the water was flowing with force and alerted his family.

"There was water coming down in that day, then I heard something, the water was coming with force; you know, I know every time when the water is rising. I was with my wife, my child, my grandchild, and his child. I told them to wake up, water is coming here. Even before we could finish three minutes, the water had filled up, and it started entering the house," he said.

He explained that he and his wife started praying as the water levels continued to rise in the area, sweeping away the house.

Waiganjo added that it was not until the next morning that he woke up to assess the destruction in his compound.

"My sons are dead, the goats are gone. One was found here, and the other went with the water all the way down the village. God divided the water, and that's how we survived there. What should I do now," he cried out as he pointed where his sons' bodies were retrieved.

What caused Mai Mahiu flooding?

In the wee hours of Monday, April 29, the tragic event unfolded on the busy Nairobi-Naivasha Highway in the Mai-Mahiu area, where floodwaters engulfed multiple vehicles.

According to reports, the incident occurred when the Kijabe Dam broke its banks, engulfing local villagers and travellers along the highway.

Water Cabinet Secretary Zachariah Njeru attributed the incident to a blocked railway line tunnel obstructing the natural water flow through River Tongi.

He explained that the channel got blocked due to debris, stones, trees, and soil brought about by the heavy downpour in the area, thereby preventing water from flowing through the River Tongi course and its small tributaries from moving downstream.

Kenya Red Cross rescue in Kitengela

On Wednesday Kenya Red Cross continued with its rescue mission in Kitengela, Kajiado county after heavy down pour at night flooding houses and pathways.

In an update by Kenya Red Cross, 11 people were rescued, while efforts continue to reach others stranded in their houses.

Kenyan flood deaths

• The floods have continued to claim lives across the country as a boat capsized in Tana River, killing at least 10 people.
• In Nairobi, four bodies believed to be of flood victims were retrieved from Mathare River following a heavy downpour.
• The number of people missing after the Kijabe Dam burst its banks and swept everything downstream is yet to be tallied.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.