Families for the pupils who perished following a stampede at
Kakamega Primary school have received some cash from the Kakamega County
government.
The families for the 15 students who died were each given a
lump sum amount of Sh200,000. Seven families for pupils who suffered injuries
were treated with the Sh50,000 award each.
The money given out had been collected from well-wishers,
who contributed up to Sh6million, towards support for the affected pupils.
The contribution was given during a past requiem mass, which
was held at Bukhungu Stadium. At least 46 students have so far recorded their
statements concerning the incident.
According to County boss Wycliffe Oparanya, the money was
meant to help in settling burial expenses, which had been incurred when the
parents were sending off their fallen children.
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"No amount of money can replace the loss of your loved
ones. This is a little help from well-wishers," noted Governor Wycliffe
Oparanya.
Initially, the said families had also received Sh100,000
each, and whereby out of the same, Sh24,000 were used as transport expenses.
Additionally, the families also got foodstuff donations from
the government, while the Kakamega County government helped in settling the
Sh1.2 million hospital bill for the affected students.
The school's head Mr. Dickson Wanyangu revealed that the
school's fraternity was yet to heal from the incident.
"It's been a difficult period for our community. Things
haven't been the same since the tragedy occurred," stated Mr. Dickson.
Lead investigator Mr. Nyamboki Shem said that they were
almost finalizing their investigations and that they were ready to carry on
with the matter as per the Director of Public Prosecution recommendations.
Administrative Justice Commission led by Ms. Florence Kajuju
now wants parents to be compensated after losing their children from the
tragedy.
The commission has so far paid a visit to the scene of
tragedy [school] and pointed an accusing finger to the construction manner for
the stairways for the killer building.