Government finally releases Sh1m for Huruma tragedy victims

A caterpillar removes a slab to give way for the rescue team to remove a victim that was trapped in a house that collapsed in Huruma, Nairobi. PHOTO: DAVID GICHURU/STANDARD

NAIROBI: The national government has finally kept its pledge of compensating Huruma tragedy victims who lost their loved ones.

The money was part of Sh6 million resettlement package said to have been released by Public Service CS Sicily Kariuki from the Affirmative Action Social Development Fund (AASDF).

A family that lost seven of their members confirmed Friday that they had received the Sh20, 000 promised by the government that was to facilitate purchase of coffins.

However, the family's spokesperson John Awiti said they have already buried all of their relatives as they would not have waited for the government's cash.

"None the less we are grateful that the government has owned up to its pledge," said Awiti.

Awiti said on Wednesday, victims awarded Sh20, 000 each by the state for every loved one who succumbed in the tragedy that claimed the lives of 51 residents.

National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU) has however confirmed that the new death toll from the April 29 tragedy has risen to 52.

This is after Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) reported of a deceased female adult who was brought to the hospital on May 5 after being rescued alive from the rabbles.

"The lady had not been identified since but it is said she died on arrival at the hospital," said NDMU Pius Masai.

Contrary to speculations, Masai said there are no bodies lying at the City Mortuary unclaimed as all bodies were collected for burial with the last one being picked on May 24.

"However, we still have four survivors hospitalised but in stable condition with two missing persons," he said.

On April 29 a seven storey building built next to the Nairobi River came tumbling down after days of heavy rains.

It was said that apart from the building being erected on a riparian land, it was also put up using not only substandard materials but also uncouth means.

The disaster promoted the county and national governments to mount a crackdown to wipe away all unsafe buildings in Nairobi, the exercise targets about 226 structures.

"The demolition exercise is very slow since many owners have moved to court to get injunctions. Unfortunately our responsibility is just to deal with disaster prevention," said Masai.

He added that the right authorities (national and county and governments) are dealing with the issues emerging from the law.