The DPP has asked the police boss to forward a resultant investigation file in two weeks, in a bid to ensure those found culpable are brought to book/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 10 – Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji has directed Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet to launch an investigation into cause of Wednesday night’s tragedy in Solai where a dam burst its banks, due to heavy rains, killing at least 44 people.
The DPP has asked the police boss to forward a resultant investigation file in two weeks, in a bid to ensure those found culpable are brought to book.
Of those confirmed dead, 20 are children in the worst flood-related tragedy in the country since the heavy rains started.
“DPP has directed the IG @JBoinnet to carry out thorough investigations to establish cause & culpability if any of Patel Dam disaster & forward resultant investigation file to him in 14 days #SolaiDamTragedy,” reads a tweet posted on the ODPP’s handle.
The multi-agency search operation is set to resume on Friday morning.
Locals say they had complained to authorities that Patel dam, located within an expansive private farm was leaking.
The rains that started in March have led to flooding and mudslides that have left close to 200 people dead and thousands more displaced.
The trail of destruction left by the flooded dam was evident Thursday, having swept off homes and crops in nearby farms.
Our Correspondent in Nakuru recounted seeing bodies of people—including young children hanging on cliffs or branches of trees that were felled by the floods from the dam owned by the Asian farmer who settled in Solai in 1960’s and grows coffee, macadamia and flowers for export.
A witness Ruth Njoki recounted how she survived when the floods swept off her house.
“At first I thought it was the rains but when I went out I saw water all over and I had to run,” she said, I am alive today because I ran fast but I do not know the whereabouts of my children.”
Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho said Thursday that more than 220,000 people have been displaced by flooding as heavy rains hit the country after three consecutive failed rainy seasons had left it in drought.
Since March, at least 21,000 acres (8,500 hectares) of farmland have been submerged in water with an estimated 20,000 animals killed, the Red Cross said last week when it appealed for Sh500 million to help displaced families.
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