Ms Alice Mumbi (centre) with relatives after viewing the bodies at Kiplombe cemetery in Eldoret, on Wednesday. Her daughter Anne Wanjiru 10, died in the church inferno. [PHOTO: PETER OCHIENG/STANDARD] |
An attempt by the Government to bury people killed in the Kiambaa Kenya Assembles of God church inferno aborted.
A team led by Chief Government Pathologist Moses Njue and Eldoret Criminal Investigation Officer Munga Nyale arrived at Kiplombe Cemetery at 10.30am with 37 bodies ready for the burial.
READ MORE
SMEs losing millions to lack of circular economy certification rules
State's new push to boost job creation in cotton value chain
Boxers ready for battle in Nakuru
Inside startups using tech to solve farmers' biggest challenges
Under the direction of Dr Njue, 17 bodies had already been lowered into the mass grave before the process was stopped following a call from Rift Valley PC Hassan Noor Hassan.
Relatives and friends who had gotten wind of the ongoing burial arrived at the cemetery in hired vehicles. They sobbed on seeing their relatives’ last journey and police officers had to restrain them from accessing the grave.
"Kwa nini serikali inatufanya hivi? Sijashindwa kuzika mtoto wangu. Wanazika mtoto wangu ndani ya karatasi kwani siwezi kununua jeneza?" (Why is the Government mistreating us? I am not unable to bury my child. Why should they bury my child in a polythene bag? Does it mean I can not afford a coffin?" lamented Ms Alice Mumbi.
Uasin Gishu DC Leonard Ngaluma arrived after the burial process was stopped. Njue, Munga, the DC and the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital deputy director Omar Ali consulted before agreeing to stop the burial.
Accrued high bill
Speaking later, Njue explained that the Government was not burying the victims but preserving their bodies.
"The bodies have accrued a bill of over Sh8 million where they are being preserved. We are preserving them until DNA results are out," explained Njue.
He added that the bodies had two tags each and had been treated with chemicals. The bodies can stay in the polythene bags for a period exceeding 20 years while in the same state.
"The amount required for the DNA is over Sh22 million and we do not know how long it will take to identify the bodies that is why we resorted to this method," said Njue.
Mr Ngaluma explained that the burial had been called off to facilitate a decent burial in future.
The bodies were ferried back to the mortuary.
