Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has announced that the state will cover the hospital bills for victims of the Monday flash floods in Mai Mahiu.
Speaking to the press in Mombasa, Mwaura confirmed that 73 people were injured in the tragedy and admitted to nearby hospitals.
“All their hospital bills will be paid by the government in the spirit of solidarity,” he stated.
Mwaura highlighted that Nairobi County was the worst-hit by the floods, with 147,000 displaced individuals, accounting for 77% of all displaced persons in the country. To accommodate those affected, the government has set up 52 displacement camps.
The flash floods in Mai Mahiu have claimed 71 lives so far, with 28 people still missing. The floods originated from a burst water body on Monday morning, caused by a blocked railway line tunnel obstructing the proper flow of water through River Tongi.
Initially, the Ministry of Interior reported that 46 people had died, with 53 others missing. However, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua later confirmed that by Tuesday morning, 71 people had been confirmed dead, leaving 28 still unaccounted for.