CORD donates Sh2m to Huruma tragedy victims

CORD leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka visit the site of the collapsed building in Huruma Estate in Nairobi. The leaders donated Sh2 million, 400kgs of sugar, 50 bundles of maize flour, 30 crates of drinking water and five bundles of blankets to the survivors. (PHOTO: WILLIS AWANDU/ STANDARD)

Rescue operations at Huruma's ill-fated flat were halted momentarily when CORD leaders visited the site yesterday.

The leaders donated Sh2 million, 400kgs of sugar, 50 bundles of maize flour, 30 crates of drinking water and five bundles of blankets to the survivors.

Each victim, the leaders said, would receive Sh50,000.

Police had to fire teargas at a surging crowd that wanted to force its way to Ground Zero when Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang'ula arrived.

It was a difficult time for the police to keep away people, who were putting their lives in danger, without causing a possible stampede.

At some point, a section of the crowd climbed balconies of adjacent buildings to get a glimpse of the leaders, oblivious of the danger they were exposing themselves to.

Operations at the tragedy site have been greatly hampered by buildings put up side by side, leaving a narrow path.

A briefing to the Opposition leaders was interrupted by one George Awiti, whose sister and her five children are missing.

He accused the officers of keeping them in the dark on the rescue progress.

Raila blamed corruption for the construction of substandard buildings that have continued to collapse and kill tenants.