The Solai Dam burst tragedy on Wednesday claimed over 49 lives with 40 others reportedly still missing as of Saturday.
Water and Sanitation Cabinet Secretary (CS) Simon Chelugui on Saturday indicated that the government would undertake a nationwide inspection of dams to prevent such occurrences in future.
This move by the ministry came after the CS on Friday visited the killer dam in the company of Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui and Subukia Member of Parliament Samuel Gachobe.
[caption caption="Water CS Simon Chelugui touring the killer dam"]
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According to CS Chelugui, this move is meant to ensure that the dams are up to standard to stop a possible repeat of the incident that befell Solai, Nakuru County.
Among the actions that government had taken in the wake of the tragedy is emptying of the two other dams in the same farm which were said to pose a risk to residents downstream.
The operation is being carried out by KDF soldiers with search and rescue efforts being conducted by a multi-agency team with sniffer dogs deployed on Saturday to help locate bodies that may be buried in the mud.
The Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji on Thursday directed Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet to launch an investigation into the cause of Wednesday night’s tragedy.
Haji further directed IG Boinnet to forward the resultant investigation file to him within 14 days indicating that this would help in bringing those culpable of the dam burst to book.
Reports indicate that the locals had complained to authorities that the Patel dam was leaking.
[caption caption="The trail of destruction after the dam burst"]
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The dam is said to be owned by the Asian farmer Patel Mansukul who settled in Solai in 1960’s and grows coffee, macadamia, and flowers for export.
