The death toll from a burst Kenyan dam has risen to 34, interior ministry spokesman Mwenda Njoka said on Thursday.
The flower-farm dam in Nakuru county, in Rift Valley burst late on Wednesday, affecting as many as 2,000 people.
Floodwater from the dam swept through 450 homes, Nakuru county governor Lee Kinyanjui said on Thursday.
Engineers had been sent to carry out safety checks on three other nearby reservoirs.
Kenya’s Daily Standard newspaper said a rescue centre has been set up.
The paper reported that property worth billions of shillings was destroyed.
Solai Boys’ High School and Patel Day Secondary School were affected.
Nakuru County Disaster Management Team, The Kenya Red Cross and National Youth Service were on site to help in rescuing the people.
The dam, located on the upper part of the farm is eight kilometres from Solai Centre and one of the four water reservoirs in the area owned by Mr Patel.
“We want the dams demolished, one is now leaking and is the largest covering almost four acres,†said Solai resident Stephen Ngugi.
Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui said the extent of the damage was yet to be established.
“The county has dispatched ambulances to the scene to aid in the evacuation of victims. Medics have been mobilised at Bahati Sub-County Hospital and Nakuru County Referral Hospital and are on standby to receive victims,†he said. (NAN)
