The mother of a miner who died at Abimbo Mines has has made a passionate appeal to the government after she was barred from burying her son.
The son, Collins Otieno, passed away on Thursday, December 2, after the mine caved in while 10 individuals were working there.
Speaking to the press on Sunday, December 13, the mother, Florence Ongung'a, revealed that the state had stopped her from burying her son until all bodies have been recovered from the mines.
She is, however, worried about the ballooning mortuary bill as rescue efforts for one more person, Tom Okwach, continue at the site.
"His colleagues were nudging him to go to the mine to make some money instead of sitting at home. I did not even know when he left for the Abimbo mine.
"I do not have anything. I am not sure what bill they mortuary will present me with as well as the coffin and transport costs. I appeal to the County Government to help me," stated Ongung'a.
She further noted that she was away on errands and only learnt about the accident by phone.
Collins' brother Stephen Ochieng' noted that the kin were gathered at the deceased home awaiting a way forward from the government.
"We were waiting for information from the government to see how we can bury him," he stated.
His uncle, Charles Ambula, observed that the government's directive was confusing since it had brought everything in the home to a stand still.
He noted that the relatives would not carry on with their lives until the body is released to them for burial.
"Through consultations with the DCIO, they told us that until all the bodies have been removed. We asked if there is a way they can help us to bury the body," he stated.
Otieno was part of the miners who were buried alive when the mine caved in. Eight of the miners have, however, been rescued alive with one more still trapped nearly 12 days since the incident occurred.
