By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
President William Ruto on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, visited victims of the recent tragedy in the Mai Mahiu area in Nakuru County.
The incident reported on Monday night has so far claimed over 70 lives.
During the visit, the President promised that the government would offer all the needed support to the victims.
Among the support include rebuilding their homes and providing financial support for the education of the children.
However, the rebuilding, Ruto said, will start only after the safety of the area has been ascertained after expert analysis.
The President also directed the military to join the ongoing rescue mission in the area.
“We condole with the families that have lost their loved ones due to the floods in the country. We pray for quick recovery to the injured and pledge total Government support at all levels,” Ruto said in a post on his verified X handle.
“A multi-agency rescue operation, including the military, is currently underway in all affected areas. It will help offer temporary shelter, food, clothing and medical care, besides carrying out emergency evacuations and searches,” he added.
The victims are currently being offered shelter at Ngeya Girls Secondary School in Mai Mahiu.
According to the latest data from the Kenya Red Cross, 76 people have been reported missing at their tracing desk while 110 others have been rescued.
“Approximately 250 people are being hosted at Ngeya Girls Secondary School, where they were provided with essential items, courtesy of the National and County Government of Nakuru and partners,” the humanitarian agency said in a post early on Tuesday.
“The Kenya Red Cross continues its search, rescue, and retrieval efforts, along with providing psychosocial support services to the affected families,” it added.
Earlier in the day, former President Uhuru Kenyatta pledged to support the Kenya Red Cross with Ksh2 million so as to enhance their emergency response.