Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has vowed to recognise and reward young people who volunteered to retrieve bodies at the Kware dumpsite in Mukuru slum.
In a statement on Sunday, July 14, the city boss noted that the young people demonstrated bravery in helping to remove the bodies which were found wrapped in nylon bags and dumped in a depleted quarrying site.
“We recognise and applaud the young people of Kware who went out of their way and took the lead in the retrieval efforts. Their industry and bravery will not go unrewarded,” Sakaja’s statement read in part.
Different numbers from DCI
At the same time, Sakaja announced that Nairobi Funeral Home which was formerly referred to as City Mortuary has received 12 bodies retrieved from Kware in Mukuru.
The number differed from what the Director of Criminal Investigations Ibrahim Amin announced on Sunday, July 14, 2024.
“We have so far received eight bodies and 12 body parts at the Nairobi Funeral Home (formerly City Mortuary) even as retrieval efforts continue,” Sakaja stated.
“In as much as this is clearly a homicide matter and a police case, we are working closely with the National Police and other relevant authorities during the investigations and identification of the deceased.”
Earlier security bosses who were led by acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and DCI Amin announced that only eight bodies had been retrieved, six on Friday, July 12, 2024, and two on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
Governor to help families
At the same time, Governor Sakaja promised to help the families of the deceased once the identification process is completed. Sakaja promised to help them receive psychosocial support and counselling.
“We have mobilised our resources to help the families of the victims once they are identified, including providing psychosocial support and counselling at the Funeral Home. The County’s Disaster Management team will continue to work with and support the community and other government authorities,” he pledged.
However, he appealed to the members of the public to allow the police and detectives to carry out their work without interference following an instance where security officers were forced to fire in the air to disperse the crowd.
“Regrettably, we have witnessed instances of altercations between the residents and government officials, which have hampered rescue efforts after police lobbed tear gas into the crowd. We appeal for calm from the residents and utmost restraint by the police. We urge the DCI to avail all resources in investigating the circumstances behind these heinous deaths. Kenyans want answers and need to feel safe always,” he added.
“To the affected families and friends, poleni sana. We stand with and will give you all the support available.”