River Enziu tragedy was out of laxity— Kalonzo

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has said the River Enziu bus tragedy in Mwingi Central, Kitui, where 32 people died, was due to negligence.

Kalonzo said he will be responsible for the issue as losing more lives will not be allowed.

He, however, did not mention what he would do.

Kalonzo said he was aware of the mitigating measures already put in place.

The Wiper leader spoke last Friday at Ithookwe showground in Kitui during the funeral service for Edith Mawia.

Edith was the wife of pioneer Kitui Governor Julius Malombe. 

Kalonzo said he is supporting the inter-denominational deliverance and healing prayers to be held at the tragedy site on Monday to exorcise the killer ghosts as plans were put in place to construct an overpass bridge.

“On Monday a group of churches will conduct prayers. We want to have a  bridge across Enziu River with the names of the 32 people who perished engraved,” he said.

Earlier during a requiem mass for those who died, Mwingi Central MP Gideon Mulyungi said the deaths occurred due to lack of due diligence.

He said if the works were done as required by the concerned people, the tragedy would have been avoided.

Mulyungi said that someone slept on the job resulting in a tragic accident.

“The bus was not swept away by the floodwaters.  The accident happened because a section of the drift was broken after being washed away,” he said.

“The bus hit the broken section on the drift and plunged into the water. This is something that could have been avoided if those responsible were diligent enough.” 

The Archbishop of the Messiahship Worship Church, Rev Julius Nyerere who is coordinating the Monday interdenominational prayers said the objective was to cleanse the killer river.

“We will conduct deliverance prayers because we found it worthy,”  Nyerere said.

He said MP Mulyungi had confirmed attendance.

Other key religious leaders who will grace the prayers are guest speakers, Apostle Francis Musili of ATG Church and Bishop Samuel Kathita of Full Gospel Churches of Kenya.

Edited by Kiilu Damaris