Thousands mourn deaths in Kenyan dam tragedy

By Andrew Wasike

NAKURU, Kenya

Thousands of Kenyans, including President Uhuru Kenyatta, on Wednesday converged at the African Inland Church (AIC) in Nakuru town to mourn the deaths of 48 people in Patel Dam tragedy last week.

The Patel Dam in the town of Nakuru, located in the Great Rift Valley region, burst as a result of heavy rains that have been pounding Kenya for the past two months resulting in heavy flooding and the displacement of more than 230,000 Kenyans.

Speaking at the interdenominational memorial service, Kenyatta said: “I assure you that Kenyans are with all of you during this trying moment [...] The floods have been wreaking havoc all across Kenya, so we are also here to mourn those who died due to the floods.”

Kenyatta vowed to the local community that the government will help them in “rebuilding everything” that was destroyed.

At least 21 of those who died in the tragedy were children, while 5,000 people were displaced, according to the government figures.