A University student has emerged as a hero in the Maasai Mara Reserve after his quick thinking and bravery saved the lives of 14 tourists and 25 staff members during the devastating floods.
James Apollo, an Africa Nazarene University student and tour guide, recounted the harrowing events to global news network CNN where he explained how he sprang into action as the Talek River waters surrounded their camp.
“When we came from our tents the water was rapidly rising, reaching at waist level, it was literally surrounding our camp,” said Apolloh.
“We couldn’t get out, even the planes that were trying to get into the camp and rescue us couldn’t arrive in time.”
Upon sensing the impending danger, he immediately woke up the tourists from their tents, guiding them to higher ground above nearby water tanks where they sheltered throughout the night until they were rescued the following morning.
Cause of the Maasai Mara flood
The flooding in the Maasai Mara Reserve was triggered by the Talek River which broke its banks after heavy overnight rains.
Numerous lodges, tented camps, and other tourist facilities were submerged while tents and personal belongings were swept away by the relentless currents.
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Tourists and staff were forced to climb trees to escape the rising waters as the Talek gate and other access roads became impassable.
Kenya Red Cross Rescue Operation
The Kenya Red Cross, along with local authorities, launched a rescue operation, utilizing helicopters to airlift 36 individuals to safety and deploying ground teams to rescue an additional 25 people.
However, many tourists remained stranded, awaiting evacuation as the floodwaters continued to rise.
In an updated statement, Kenya Red Cross noted that it had managed to evacuate over 90 people to safety and that most of the affected camps have been closed.
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“Over 90 people evacuated to safety, and most of the affected camps have been closed, the floodwaters resulting from the River Talek bursting its banks have subsided,” said Kenya Red Cross
The devastation in the Maasai Mara Reserve is part of a broader crisis gripping the country where heavy rains have led to widespread flooding and loss of life.
Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura noted that the death toll from weeks of flooding had reached 179 by Wednesday May 1st, among them 15 children.
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