Families whose relatives perished when a 10-storey building collapsed in Kisii town have appealed to the county and the owner of the building to compensate them.
The plea came even as Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU) ended the five-day rescue mission. The tragedy left eight people dead and 44 injured.
Lawrence Momanyi, an uncle to Nelson Ontabo, who died in the tragedy said the deceased was the bread winner in the family of three — his sister, niece and grandmother. He said Ontabo was helping his grandmother, Paustina Kwamboka, 90, sister Isabella Mogaka and her 10-year-old child, Everline, a Class Three pupil at Kiomakondo Primary School.
“Isabella fainted when she heard the bad news. The family is poor and mourners have nothing to eat as they prepare for the funeral,” said Momanyi. Ontabo and his sister were the only siblings left in the family after their parents and two brothers died, adding that the homestead is dotted with graves, which traumatise Isabella and her grandmother.
Meanwhile, KDF Head of Disaster Response Unit Lieutenant Colonel, Joseph Maritim appealed to Kisii County government to equip fire fighters to respond effectively to disasters. Speaking at the scene, he urged the government to integrate disasters response to development.
Kisii County Commissioner, Kula Hache clarified only eight people died and not nine as reported, 41 survivors were treated at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital and discharged, two are admitted while one was taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital for specialised treatment.
She said the Site Engineer of the ill-fated building has recorded a statement with police while the owner of the building, identified as Jeremiah Matoke, would appear before the County Director of Investigations, Justus Burudi today to record a statement and help with investigations.
She appealed to private developers and stakeholders in the building industry to ensure buildings are constructed professionally and are safe for occupation. Governor James Ongwae said the county government has waived the medical bills for the victims, mortuary charges and postmortem and would ferry the bodies to respective homes.
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