Governor pledges to offset medical bills for protestors

Homa Bay

Thursday, July 27, 2023

KNA by Davis Langat

Homa Governor Ms. Gladys Wanga Wednesday led residents in lighting candles to mark a vigil for victims of Azimio Coalition-led demonstrations.

During the vigil held at Rusinga Lodge in Mbita Sub County, the Governor announced that she will offset medical bills for all police brutality victims in her county.

Wanga said she will not allow any Homa Bay resident to be burdened by hospital bills, adding that the entire county government leadership was in solidarity with the victims of police brutality and their families.

“All Homa Bay County residents who suffered police brutality are going to have their hospital bills cleared. We are in solidarity with police brutality victims and their families,” she said.

The Governor said families who lost their loved ones will also be supported during funeral arrangements. “We are sending our condolences to all our people who lost their loved ones in the whole country. We will support their burial arrangements,” Wanga said.

Wanga said demonstrations are constitutionally protected, hence Kenyans should not be punished for exercising their rights. “The cost of living has escalated so high that the people have the right to demonstrate their dissatisfaction. The people have the constitutional right to demonstrate,” Wanga said.

The Governor was accompanied by her Deputy Mr. Oyugi Magwanga, the County Assembly Speaker Mr. Julius Gaya, Clerk Ms. Faith Apuko and Majority Leader Mr. Richard Ogindo.

The Deputy Governor asked the government to handle protestors in a humane manner, noting that some of the current government officers had participated in demonstrations before, hence they should treat protestors as human beings who are expressing their constitutional rights.

“Some of the people who are currently in the government also participated in demonstrations before. They should not perceive people who are demonstrating today as criminals,” Magwanga said.

He said that a number of people were killed while others were injured by police.

“What we are witnessing today is very sad because a number of people lost their lives when they were expressing their constitutional obligation,” Magwanga said.

The Speaker said it was an obligation for the entire county government leadership to stand with the victims of police brutality.

“We are also in solidarity with the people who were arrested due to the demonstrations. We are united in ensuring that our people exercise their constitutional right,” said Gaya.

The event took place in line with an announcement made by Azimio coalition leadership.

Courtesy ; K. N. A