Ruto neglected Embakasi gas explosion victims, Babu Owino claims
Politics
By
Sharon Wanga
| Mar 08, 2024
Embakasi East Member of Parliament Paul Ongili alias Babu Owino has now accused the State of neglecting victims of the Embakasi gas explosion.
The lawmaker has criticised President William Ruto and his deputy Gachagua for failing to sympathize with or support the victims of the deadly explosion that killed at least seven people.
"State House is just close to Embakasi East. The president did not make a point of going to see these people even in the hospital," Babu remarked during an interview with KTN News on Wednesday night.
He further questioned how the president and his entire team might have moved on from the destruction easily.
"When a sports legend passed on, the whole Cabinet moved to Rift Valley... the president moving from Statehouse to Rift Valley will take not less than Sh3billion in an arrangement of a presidential visit," he posed.
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The MP questioned how the president could not donate money for the victims to build new shelters, yet he directed the construction of a new house after Kelvin Kiptum's death.
The Embakasi East MP claimed that the victims of the explosion only relied on the little money contributed by the Opposition team.
"The deceased's family was given Sh45, 000 each, those admitted to hospital got Sh20,000 each, and IDPs at Embakasi social hall got Sh12,000 that I contributed, and others depending on degrees of injury," he added.
"The same people gave Ruto 30,000 votes in Embakasi East. Does it mean they didn't want him? Why can't he serve without discrimination? Rigathi came and promised that within one hour he would give food and money but disappeared."
But, President Ruto had ordered the sacking and prosecution of State officials who allowed the Embakasi gas plant to operate.
The explosion occurred on February 1 after an LPG gas exploded in Mradi area, Embakasi.