Esther Wairimu (19) and her father Kuria Macharia in Murang'a town shortly after governor Mwangi wa Iria offered to help the family secure the release of the body of her late mother Nancy Njeri from Kenyatta National Hospital mortuary. PHOTO BY BONIFACE GIKANDI

Governor Mwangi wa Iria has said he will ensure the body of Nancy Njeri is released and given a decent burial at her home in Kianjege village, Kandara sub-county.

He spoke as he met with the family of Kuria Macharia in Murang'a town and pledged to bail the family out by paying part of the Sh1.1 million bill at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi.

"On my own behalf and the local county government, we are duty bound to support the family to ensure the detained body is released from the mortuary," said the governor who was backed by his Youth, Culture and Special Programme secretary Edward Muiruri.

This comes days after the story of Esther Wairimu, who has cycled through three counties to raise funds for her mother's burial, was aired on local media.

Ms Wairimu, a house-help in Thika town, traversed Nairobi, Murang'a and Kiambu counties on a bicycle.

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Yesterday, while appreciating the role played by the media since Christmas eve when she went public about her plight, she expressed her joy on hearing the commitment by the county government.

"I thank the media, which played a big part in ensuring people got to know about our plight. I am happy that my mother will soon be laid to rest," said 19-year-old Wairimu.

On Friday, Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia was the first to intervene with a Sh500,000 waiver, while Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko donated Sh200,000 to the family.

Meanwhile, over 20 families in Ngara estate in Meru were forced to spend Saturday night in the cold after their houses were demolished by the county government.

The demolition, conducted under police watch, happened around midnight.

The distraught families complained their belongings had been destroyed in the exercise.

Residents who requested anonymity for fear of retribution claimed they were victims of land grabbing.

"We have lived here for years. Why would someone claim this was his land?" said a resident.

North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood expressed shock that families, including children, had been rendered homeless.