One year after the Mai Mahiu Dam tragedy that left more than 60 dead, cases of mental health issues, mainly depression, among the victims have risen as the full reality of the event has started to sink in.

The situation has been worsened by the failure of the government to resettle the tens of families, rising poverty, and diseases.

This came as Kijabe Mission Hospital and PISGHA Academy held a free medical camp in Mai Mahiu targeting victims of the tragedy that was caused by a burst dam.

During the exercise, where more than 1,300 people turned up, it emerged that many of the victims had not received any medical treatment and had been living with physical and emotional wounds.

According to Pastor John Njoroge from PISGHA Academy, the medical camp had come at the right time, as families were undergoing untold suffering.

He said that many of the victims were suicidal as the full reality and the losses incurred hit them amid a lack of cash and jobs.

“We decided to hold this camp after learning of the predicament that these families are going through, and many of them need counselling,” he said.

Speaking during the camp, Njoroge appealed to the government to keep its promise and support the families to resettle as part of addressing their challenges.

“Many of these people are still traumatised by the ordeal, leading to suicidal cases which have been worsened by the slow support from the State,” he said.

On her part, Faith Lelei, a physician from Kijabe Hospital, said that many of the patients were suffering from non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes.

She added that tens of others were undergoing counselling as part of support from the over 130 staff from Kijabe Hospital.

“We have seen many cases of mental health and non-communicable diseases, and this is part of supporting the community after last year’s tragedy,” she said.

A victim, Rachel Wanjiku, said that the government failed to keep its promise, forcing them to rely on well-wishers.