Kenyan Bishops through their Catholic Justice and Peace Commission have expressed deep sadness over the deaths and devastation of families affected by floods. 45 people are said to have lost their lives while hundreds of families have been displaced after the walls of the Patel Dam in Solai, a town 190km north-west of the capital, Nairobi, burst and sent down more than 70 million litres of water on homes. An entire village was flattened.
As reported by Vatican radio, His Grace Bishop John Oballa Owaa the Bishop of Ngong Diocese and Chairman KCCB-Catholic Justice and Peace Commission remarked that “We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives, the injured and the large-scale destruction created across the country, the worst and shocking being the Nakuru-Solai Dam tragedy that has left many dead. Our heartfelt condolences and well wishes also to those affected in Muranga, Kilifi, Lamu, Narok, Tana River among others.”
The broken Patel Dam is one of three water reservoirs owned by prominent Kenyan agribusiness and iodized salt manufacturer, Perry Mansukhlal Kansagra. Government engineers on Friday drained two other dams that they said posed similar threats to residents.
