A victim of the 2007 post election violence was Thursday buried after succumbing to blood cancer while receiving treatment at Racecourse Hospital in Eldoret.
Joseph Kariuki survived the Kiambaa Church attack but his hand was chopped off as he was protecting women and children who had sought refuge at the Kenya Assemblies of God Church, at the height of the violence that left thousands dead and displaced.
The 64-year old man, was eulogised by local leaders as a man who loved peace as he stressed on the importance for cohesion among Kenyans despite his hand being cut off during the skirmishes.
“Despite his injuries, he always preached peace and said that had forgiven those who caused him the pain,” said David Kinyua, his brother-in-law.
While speaking at the funeral, MCA Stephen Chemalan described Kariuki as a man who loved who fought for cohesion regardless of the pain and loss he had suffered.
Mr. Kariuki's death came as he was waiting for a compensation that the victims of the post election violence had been promised by the government but the distribution of the Sh10 billion that the government had the victims has been clouded by claims of corruption and favouritism.
Kapseret MP, Oscar Sudi also asked the government to put everything aside after the Nakuru rally set for Friday and focus it's attention on fulfilling its promises to the victims of the post election violence.
“There is no need of leaders going round and making promises yet there is someone who was hurt and has not received compensation. So after the Nakuru rally, let them put everything aside and start compensating the victims of post-election violence”. Mr. Sudi commented.
