The first information received the day before attributed the floods to the rupture of the Dark Tunnel Valley dam, located in the Kijabe hills, but later authorities from the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Sanitation attributed the disaster to the blockage of a tunnel, which channels the waters. of the Tongi River.
The tunnel was blocked by trees and debris caused by the currents created by the heavy rains.
It was also reported that there are people who are still missing, so the death toll may increase.
The epicenter of the tragedy occurred in the town of Kamuchiri, near the city of Mai Mahiu, where more than 100 people could already be rescued.
The Government today put the total number of deaths in the country due to the floods during the last month at 169, but this number may increase considerably with the tragedy that occurred the day before.
It was also said that a total of 91 people are currently missing and around 190,942 are considered affected by the floods.
On the other hand, the Minister of Education, Ezekiel Machogu, announced an extension for the opening of schools, originally scheduled for this Monday, but will now have to wait until May 6 to resume classes, to avoid greater risks. and loss of life.
Although the entire country in one way or another suffers the onslaught of the downpours, the most damaged regions are the center and the west, including this capital where the floods sweep away the weakest houses in slums installed in poor districts.
The meteorological phenomenon known as “El Niño” has also already affected other East African countries with its torrential rains, including Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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