Mary’s Story: The Patel Dam Collapse in Kenya

It was in the wee hours of the night when the Patel dam burst its banks near Solai, Kenya. A loud noise was heard from a distance as silt-laden water gushed into the lower side of Solai village, destroying everything erected in its path. Homes were destroyed, livestock killed, and people died.

I can vividly recount the events that occurred that night, May 9^th 2018.

Patel, a renowned businessman, had constructed the dam years earlier to capture water for his large plantation. Oblivious to the risks involved, many Solai villagers worked on the plantation to fend for their families, tending flowers and doing minor jobs.

Fast forward to May 9^th — We received notice that the walls of the Patel dam showed signs of collapsing. This was after heavy rains had pounded the land for a week. The muddy walls could not contain the large water capacity. It was a disaster in the making, so we had to get to safety before the dam burst.

My mind raced with fear of the unknown. Will the walls collapse? Will the situation change? I had to act swiftly. I realized that my life, as much as that of my family and neighbors, was under threat.

I barged into my house and joined my family in quickly packing a few items. Our time was running out. Nobody knew when the tragedy would strike, but I was sure it would be soon. I pulled out my backpack, having no time to dust it off, packed selected items, and within no time we were all out running for safety.

What did I carry?

• Phone: This item was at the top of my mind so I could keep in touch with relatives and friends, notifying them of my whereabouts and assuring them that I was safe. I had made distress calls to a number of people earlier. These people came in handy to offer help. Part of what I received was financial tokens through mobile pay transfer (Mpesa) to my phone. I also got supportive messages after the news of the tragedy spread across the country.
• Torch: I knew navigating through the dark would be hectic, so I grabbed my torch. I’m glad I did because I was able to light the way for the people who walked behind me, too. You could have mistaken me for a team leader as everyone scrambled to walk closer, just to have a better sight of the road that led to our safety. 
• Clothes: In May in Solai, the days are chilly, but the nights are even chillier. The temperatures can even fall to extremes. So, you can imagine the shivering and trembling that I was to endure. I had packed a pair of sweatpants and a sweater. These kept me protected from the cold. If you’re ever faced with an evacuation, make sure to include a change of clothes for every member of your family. Consider packing warm clothes, as this would serve you better during cold hours.
• Money: I knew money would be useful, so I grabbed the 200ksh notes that I had stashed in my house. I ended up using this money to buy airtime credits. I also managed to have something to eat for a day. This was enough before we received food donations from the Kenya Red Cross team.

What did I forget to pack?

• Documents: I forgot to carry with me my important documents. I had to replace the documents because they were swept away by the raging waters. If you ever need to evacuate, do not leave behind your personal documents — identification cards, drivers’ license, school certificates, birth certificates, and any other important documents worth salvaging. You might need them to identify yourself when soliciting for help.

All the survivors from the village of Solai were hosted by a nearby school. We received donations as the rescue mission was underway.

It was heartbreaking going back home to find your house washed away, the fence untraceable, the well covered, and no livestock in the compound. Anguish filled the land when we learned of the people we lost.