The County Government of Homa Bay will pay Sh150,000 to each of the NASA demonstrators who were victims of alleged police brutality during the electioneering period.
Homa Bay MCA’s established a Fund that will be covering the expenses for protestors who were injured or killed during the NASA anti-IEBC demonstrations.
Majority Leader Richard Ogindo, who introduced the motion, affirmed that the county will stand with the victims and their families. He further clarified that the Fund will be separate from that used to clear mortuary bills.
“We want to ensure we are in solidarity with NASA supporters who suffered as a result of police brutality when our leader Raila Odinga called for peaceful protests,” Mr Ogindo ascertained.
“This motion is not targetting the money meant for development projects. MCAs and Executive Committee members will contribute funds to be saved in the kitty,” he added.
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The money for the fund will be contributed by MCAs and County Executive Committee (CEC) members. The county has 63 MCAs and 10 CECs.
The Kwabwai MCA expressed concern that many young people, who suffer during the demonstrations, were poor and might be detained by hospitals if there was no fund to cater for their bills.
He, however, added that only the victims will benefit, affirming that they had put in place measures to guarantee that those pretending to be casualties are kept at bay.
Four residents died while about 25 people were injured during the anti-IEBC protests. More than 20 demonstrators received medication in Homa Bay County Referral and were discharged.
Homa Bay Governor, Cyprian Awiti further directed hospitals not to charge any protester who was shot or injured during the demonstrations. Awiti affirmed that his office would liaise with all stakeholders to ensure hospital bills of the victims are settled.
[caption caption="NASA protesters "]
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