Kericho governor pledges to meet accident victims' bills
An ambulance transports an accident victim to Kericho County Referral Hospital from Fort Ternan Sub-County Hospital on October 10, 2018. PHOTO | ONDARI OGEGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Apart from paying hospital bills, the county will also relieve families of mortuary costs
- An information desk and a call centre has been set up at the Kericho County Referral Hospital to support efforts by families to identify their loved ones
The Kericho County government will meet the cost of treatment for 16 survivors of the Fort Ternan crash that left 56 people dead on Wednesday morning.
Governor Paul Chepkwony said they have put in place other measures to support the victims of the accident including directing the waiver of all mortuary costs.
"We have set up a counselling desk of dedicated professional counsellors to help the affected families come to terms with the loss of their loved ones," said the governor.
IDENTIFY BODIES
In collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross, they have also established an information desk and a call centre at the Kericho County Referral Hospital (KCRH) to support efforts by families to identify their loved ones.
Of the survivors, one has undergone surgery at the Kericho County Referral Hospital, one has been transferred to Kapkatet Hospital for a CT Scan and the rest have been admitted to the wards at the KCRH.
As at 3pm on Wednesday, only four bodies had been positively identified by their families. "Those wishing to find out more information can contact 0715820219 or 0735680356 any time of the day and night for as long as the process of identification of bodies is ongoing," said the governor.
He, however, noted that the hospital was in dire need of blood since most of the survivors require surgeries and called on the public to donate.
The referral hospital has therefore set up a blood donation centre. "I take this earliest opportunity to thank the team from the Kenya police and Kenya Red Cross as well as first responders and medical personnel who came together to help the victims and ensure that the survivors were speedily taken to the hospital.
"I also appeal to all road users and especially drivers of public service vehicles to obey traffic rules and exercise caution on the roads to stop this loss of life and be more mindful of the safety and wellbeing of their passengers and other road users," said Prof Chepkwony who also sent his condolences to the bereaved families.
