State quietly compensates victims of Mashujaa Day stampede as burials begin

Dorine Chepkurui was buried at Bagao village in Ainamoi constituency. [Courtesy]

The government has extended support to the families that lost their loved ones during the stampede at Kericho Green Stadium on Mashujaa Day.

As emotional burials for the victims commenced, the first to be laid to rest was 24-year-old Doreen Chepkurui, a former student at Eldoret Technical Training Institute, who found her final resting place in Bagao village, Ainamoi constituency.

The government has reached out to grieving families, giving them financial assistance. State officers told The Standard that the information confirming the amount each family got could only be divulged by the beneficiaries.

Kericho County Commissioner Gilbert Kityo stated: "I do not have the consent of the bereaved families or the survivors to talk about the amount of money they have received from the government. Talk to them directly."

Angela Cheruiyot, elder sister to the late Dorine Chepkurui, confirmed that the State through President William Ruto, had offered the family financial support of Sh500,000. She pleaded with the State to employ at least two of her brothers.

The family had managed to raise Sh426,000 through a fundraiser attended by family members, friends, politicians, and well-wishers. Senate Leader of Majority Aaron Cheruiyot, along with four Kericho MPs, attended the late Chepkurui's funeral.

At Chepkutung village in Belgut, the 21-year-old Mercy Chepkemoi was laid to rest on Saturday. Although the family received Sh500,000 from the government, the deceased's mother Janet Cheruiyot said no amount of money could equate to her daughter's life.