The families of seven people who perished when an underground water reservoir collapsed during a wedding ceremony in Ruiru last Saturday are appealing for financial support to bury their loved ones.
They spoke even as Kiambu County leaders led by Governor Kimani Wamatangi, area MP Simon King’ara and Kiambu Woman Representative Ann Wamuratha donated more than Ksh600,000 towards burial expenses.
According to witnesses, more than 30 people who had gone to pick the bride were dancing on top of the covered reservoir when its slab caved in.
Six people died the same day, two of them on the spot and the rest succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment. The death toll rose to seven after one more victim passed on later in hospital.
Speaking to journalists during prayers for families of four of the deceased at Fort Jesus estate in Ruiru’s Biashara ward on Wednesday, relatives said the burial expenses were too much to bear as they lacked finances whereas some would be laid to rest in far-away places.
Among the victims are two young girls Lucy Njeri Kamau, aged 7, who will be buried at their home in Baringo County and Vallin Wanjiru aged 5 years who is set to be laid to rest in Embu County.
The other five are women, three of whom come from the Mataara area in Gatundu and two from Ruiru sub-county.
Ruiru families receive donations
Wamatangi donated Ksh300,000, King’ara Ksh150,000 while Wamuratha gave Ksh50,000. Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah who is also the National Assembly Leader of Majority also sent his donation of Ksh100,000.
The governor said the tragedy which left more than 20 people injured was a big blow, coming months after several others died when buildings collapsed at various areas in the county.
“It is sad that a day of joy when women were singing and celebrating the wedding turned tragic and mournful. We shall stand with the families and help them overcome the grief by offering prayers and financial support,” Wamatangi said.
King’ara said out of the 32 people who fell into the underground water storage, at least 27 were pulled out alive and hailed locals who bravely rescued the victims with bare hands as a fire engine could not access the scene.
Wamuratha said although nobody should be blamed for the tragedy, owners of buildings should inspect the structures regularly to prevent such disasters.
“Whereas not even one life should have been lost under the circumstances, we thank God that the reservoir was not full of water as the situation would have been worse,” she remarked.
James Mbugua, whose wife Margaret Muthoni died, said the family was not in a position to clear a hospital bill of Ksh250,000 so far.
On his part, John Kamau, whose seven-year-old daughter Lucy Njeri died in the tragedy, said they need at least Ksh300,000 to clear bills and transport the body to Baringo for burial.
