Mai Mahiu tragedy: Gachagua says death toll now at 71

The DP, in a telephone interview on Inooro FM, said that other people have been reported missing after the tragedy even as search and rescue enters day two.

He says the government will deploy Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers where possible to assist other agencies in the search mission. 

“We have 46 people in the mortuary but we have more bodies being taken there so they will be about 71. There are many others who are still missing and a search is ongoing. We pray that we find them alive. If they are dead then we will say God is never questioned,” Gachagua said. 

The developments comes as President William Ruto convenes a special cabinet meeting at State House to address the floods disaster in the country, which has so far claimed more than 160 lives. 

The flash floods occurred on Monday after a water body in Kijabe burst its banks and flew towards homes in Mai Mahiu. 

While other flood-related deaths have been witnessed in Kenya, the Mai Mahiu tragedy has claimed the most lives. 

The Kenya Meteorological Department predicts that the heavy rains, accompanied with floods and mudslides will continue to May.