GILGIL, Kenya, Mar 28 – Seven people have been confirmed dead and an unknown number of residents missing after being Swept away by flash floods in Oljorai area of Gilgil Sub-County.
Among the dead are four women and three children with one family bearing the brunt as it lost four members in one night.
More than 40 families have been displaced by the Monday night heavy rains that left a trail of destruction in the vast settlement farm.
Rescuers who included residents and the police said some of the affected areas are still inaccessible because the gashing waters cut of some roads.
Area MP, Martha Wangari said the flash floods that swept through the farm at around 8pm came from the nearby Eburru Hills.
She said a search for the missing people who were buried in mud had commenced.
“Seven bodies have been recovered moved to Gilgil District Hospital Mortuary the morgue as the search for the missing persons goes on,” she said.
Wangari assured the affected persons that her office in collaboration with the National Government and other agencies would offer humanitarian aid for the bereaved and displaced families.
She added that those injured during the floods would also be assisted.
Gilgil Sub-County Police Commander, Francis Tumbo said the search and rescue commenced today morning because they could not do much last night due to the heavy rains.
A survivor, Eliud Muriuki said families were caught unaware as they preparing to resign to bed because the flood water came from upstream.
“Oljorai Settlement Scheme had not received heavy rains and so there was no cause for alarm and the floods came gashing in the night from the hills” he said.
He said some people climbed on trees while others perched on rooftops of the houses that were not washed away for safety.
