People died in the southern town of Mai Mahiu as heavy rains and floods hit areas across the country.
More than 40 people have died after a dam burst in Kenya, bringing the death toll from devastating floods in East Africa to over 120.
The deaths were reported on Monday in the Mai Mahiu area, where the dam failure added to the casualties from flash floods.
“We have so far recovered 42 bodies, including 17 minors, following the early morning incident in which a dam overflowed its banks in Kijabe area and rescue and search operations are underway,” police at the site in Mai Mahiu said .
A government spokesman warned that the rains had filled the hydroelectric power plants to capacity and there was a risk of massive flooding downstream.
Earlier on Monday, the Kenya Red Cross said it had taken several people in the area to a health facility due to the flash floods.
Due to flash flooding in Kamuchiri village, several people were taken to a health facility in Mai Mahiu.
The floodwaters reportedly came from a nearby river overflowing its banks.
The Kenya Police, County Disaster Team, Kenya Red Cross and the community… pic.twitter.com/fgcuyGDaBJ
— Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross) April 29, 2024
Kenyan authorities are struggling to cope with the chaotic conditions. East Africa has experienced heavy rainfall in recent weeks as the El Niño weather pattern intensifies seasonal rainfall.
On Saturday, government data showed 76 people had been killed and more than 131,000 displaced. The floods have destroyed roads and bridges across the country.
A road underpass at the international airport in the capital Nairobi was flooded, but flights were running as usual, the Kenya Airports Authority said on Sunday.
The government postponed the start of a new school year by a week on Monday.
“The devastating impact of the rains in some schools is so severe that it would be unwise to risk the lives of students and staff before watertight measures are put in place to ensure adequate safety of all affected school communities,” the ministry said the education minister .
Earlier this month, the Kenya Meteorological Office warned that “heavy to very heavy” rainfall was forecast in various parts of the country through May.
Elsewhere in the region, nearly 100,000 people were displaced in Burundi, while in Tanzania at least 58 people died and several thousand were left homeless.
East Africa was hit by record flooding during the rainy season in late 2023. Scientists said climate change is leading to more intense and frequent extreme weather events.