Nakuru County Govt To Conduct Memorial Service For Mai Mahiu Victims, Governor Kihika Announces

• The Mai Mahiu flood tragedy death toll has risen to 58 after two more bodies were recovered by the military officers in the ongoing rescue mission
• Governor Susan Kihika said that, together with the national government, they will conduct a memorial service for the victims next week
• The government will further aid the affected families with burial expenses, which will be communicated later

Nakuru governor Susan Kihika has confirmed that the death toll from the Mai Mahiu flood tragedy reached 58 on Monday, May 6.

While addressing the press, Kihika said 2 more bodies were recovered on Monday morning, while 32 are still missing. The Kenya Defence Forces joined the rescue mission.

"We were able to recover 2 more bodies, the death toll has risen to 58. 32 are still missing, which we think after identification of the two bodies recovered today the number will reduce to 30," she said.

When will the Mai Mahiu victims memorial service be?

Kihika further said the Nakuru county government, in collaboration with the national government, will conduct a memorial service and help in burial preparations for the bereaved.

According to Kihika, talks are still ongoing about when a joint memorial service will be held next week.

"We are in the process of planning about funeral for these people. We are talking about a joint memorial service next week. As promised, the national and county government will be helping families with the burial," she further said.

Kihika said the area remains risky and after an assessment of the area and neighboring areas that have been marked as dangerous, residents have been asked to relocate to safer grounds.

"Unfortunately, the areas that were said to be safe are no longer safe. Other areas marked unsafe by our administration, our people have been asked to move safer grounds to avoid another similar tragedy," she urged.

In a joint effort, the national and county government of Nakuru relocated victims to nearby children's homes and rented houses for them.

Government to give affected families in Mathare stipend

In his impromptu visit to Mathare, President William Ruto announced that the government would provide KSh 10,000 to each of the affected 40,000 households.

Ruto refuted claims that the government lacked a clear relocation process.

He said that all the affected families will be cared for by the government.

What to know about the floods in Kenya

• Transport at the Narok-Mai Mahiu went into paralysis after the road was cut off as heavy rains continued to pound in the county
• The Kisumu-Nairobi Highway was rendered impassable after River Nyando burst its banks flooding over the bridge
• Residents of Gitwamba in Kiambu County have demanded for compensation before relocating after donating land for the construction of Karimenu Dam

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