Opposition demands accountability over deaths in Kericho stampede

National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi. [Standard, file]

The opposition has challenged the government to compensate the families who lost their kin during the Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kericho on Friday.

ODM leader Raila Odinga's faction also wants the government to probe the incident even as they claim the planning of the event was subpar and contributed to the stampede.

In a statement issued by Minority Leader in the National Assembly, Opiyo Wandayi, the opposition has blamed the chaotic incidents witnessed during the celebrations on poor planning and alleged corruption.

While government records indicate that only five people lost their lives, the opposition claims that eight people lost their lives.

"We want to know what went wrong. Kenyans deserve to know who failed them. Kenyans deserve an explanation from the government, not the media," said Wandayi.

The Minority Leader in the National Assembly said that the government must compensate the affected families and investigate what led to the sad turn of events.

"The only way to ensure the next public holiday does not bring death, shame, and failure is for full accountability to happen over Kericho," he said.

The opposition has also asked the government to cover the expenses of those who died and those who got injured during the event.

He pointed out shortcomings in the event preparations and the failure by the security apparatus to effectively control the crowds who turned up to mark the celebrations.

"We were treated to dreadful scenes of Kenyans stuck in the red mud of an incomplete stadium, even though millions of shillings were spent," said Wandayi.

"The national government must own up and come clean on Kericho before this mediocrity is transferred to the next county hosting such public holidays," added the Minority leader.

His statement comes as the government launched a probe to establish the security lapses that led to the deadly stampede.

Yesterday, a senior government official told The Standard they were reviewing all the gaps that led to the chaos witnessed during the celebrations.

On Friday, as Kenyans converged to celebrate the country's heroes, a stampede at the national function dampened the country's mood after scores sustained injuries while some lost their lives.

Those who survived sustained injuries to their heads, legs, and backs at the venue where President William Ruto led the nation in marking the day.

A police report seen by The Standard indicated that the stampede occurred at Gate C of the stadium after a vendor selling hot tea accidentally spilt the beverage on people, causing a commotion.

The incident caused a stampede that resulted in several injuries as attendees attempted to gain access to the grounds.

Those who were injured included three police officers. The injured were rushed to Kericho County Level 5 Hospital.