Private dam 'leaked' before it burst killing 48 in night horror

Patel Dam in Solai that killed 48 people. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Almost from the start, Patel Dam seemed prone to leaks, just small ones, nothing too serious. Even villagers in the farms downstream used to joke thus: "See you later if the dam doesn't break".
The da 200,000 cubic metre dam, located at the farm of  farmer Mansukul Patel in Solai, Kabazi Ward, is among seven the farmer has constructed to supply water for irrigation in  horticultural and livestock fconcern spanning decades.

Patel seems to have carefully chosen the location of the dam; it lies adjacent to River Kabazi - collecting water from the river and draining it to another dam next to Kamukunji trading centre.