News
First Lady blames Saitoti for oil spill deaths
First Lady Lucy Kibaki addresses journalists on Monday after visiting victims of the Sachangwan fire tragedy at Nairobi's Kenyatta National Hospital, where some of them are admitted. Photo/PETERSON GITHAIGA.
Posted Monday, February 2 2009 at 16:39
In Summary
- Mrs Kibaki demands written explanation from ministry officials.
- First Lady hits out at MPs whose constituents have died of hunger.
She said President Kibaki was saddened by the accident and was forced to cut short his official trip to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
“I was saddened by the Nakumatt inferno and now we have the Molo tragedy. Our leaders should wake up and do something.”
The death toll has reached 118 after seven of the 47 victims flown from the scene to Nairobi succumbed to their injuries.
She lamented that most of the dead were young people and school-going children, who had been sent by their parents to scoop oil for sale.
Mrs Kibaki also hit out at MPs whose constituents are dying of hunger.
“You should be ashamed. With your salaries you can feed the whole constituency...why should you let anyone die of hunger?
“If one cannot feed his constituents, what can he do for the nation?”
She was accompanied by the Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura, Public Health minister Beth Mugo, Government spokesman Alfred Mutua, Kamukunji MP Simon Mbugua and former MP Njenga Karume.
Later, Prime Minister Raila Odinga visited the victims and pledged government support for special food and foreign doctors to carry out reconstructive surgery.
“The government will not spare anything in providing the best health care for the people,” he said.
KNH director Jotham Micheni requested for blood donations to help the victims.
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Submitted by HillaryioPosted February 04, 2009 03:37 AM
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Submitted by dovempole
Rightly so! Everything in Kenya has deteriorated. The security, the living standards, democracy and the democratic space, media freedom, hope and pride we had as a country. Lucy next time you address the nation tell us more of what you know about this generalised deterioration!!! These are simply sad times for our country. BUT, we shall one time come out of this mess. YES WE CAN!!
Posted February 04, 2009 01:08 AM -
Submitted by wakalush
I totally agree with Lucy as any rational person should do, but my issue is on the starvation going on right now...time and time again our country has experienced drought with the same leaders in power, so why haven't the set-up a reserve as a contingency knowing that it happens so often? i mambo yakua reactive is not acceptable at this point in time...and we as Kenyans should not let this guys do this to us while we watch, somebody needs to be held accountable....
Posted February 04, 2009 12:51 AM -
Submitted by Jossseph
Kenya has just recieved billions worth of tax payer funded Passats for the Police. Lucy Kibaki is right to be furious like that. The police should have been able to stop the unnecessary deaths. Saitoti if you have any conscience you will resign after firing some people in your ministry. I'm keeping count to see how many people will lose their jobs over these deaths.
Posted February 04, 2009 12:10 AM -
Submitted by gathoni
Is there anyone in parliament truly doing his/her job as needed? no. In the news it is said 4 children have starved to death in N.E province...it must hurt a parent to watch a beloved child die of hunger because of leaders. We need actions, words can come later.
Posted February 03, 2009 08:25 PM
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Ati she is demanding a written explanation from Saitoti? As who? Is she out of her mind. What does she explain Saitoti to write to her, maybe "First lady I am so sorry for causing deaths, deeply sorry Saitoti". I am a staunch supporter of president Kibaki but I DON'T see an aota of sense in the first lady's attacks on Saitoti. Well, she will have to absorb the the nasty embarrassment now that Kibaki has gone the opposite way and stood with Saitoti. Maybe she should consult the president before she becomes emotional and spews all her anger out.