Ruto promises help for air crash victims

The government will hold mass service for the 36 people killed in the March 10 Ethiopian Airlines plane crash, Deputy President William Ruto said on Friday.

Ruto was addressing mourners during a mass for five members of John Karanja's and Paul Njoroge's families who perished in the crash. The mass was at St. Michael Catholic Church, Nakuru county.

The DP said the government will support the families.

“The government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will work out to support the affected families. President Uhuru Kenyatta has condoled with all the affected families of the crash,” he told hundreds of those who attended the service.

The service lasted for six hours.

Karanja lost his wife Anne Wangui in the crash. She was travelling with Paul Njoroge’s wife, Caroline, and their three children - Ryan, Kerry and Rubi.

Five portraits of the deceased were neatly arranged on tables before the pulpit. 

“It is a very painful experience. Life is not the same. I sit and ask myself several questions without an answer,” Karanja said tearfully.

Paul Njoroge was in deep thoughts as politicians spoke.  “It has been a very dark moment in my life. It has been very difficult, experiencing a lot of nightmares. It is a bit easy when I’m with people but when I’m alone, it is the worst moment ever," he said.

“Counselling services have slightly helped us. All churches have been coming together to strengthen us,” Njoroge added amid sobs.

He hoped they will get the remains of their loved ones after six months when the airline is expected to have finalised the identification process.

“After six months, we will see if we can get remains to bury our loved ones. We want to get closure out of this whole incident which is hard to come into terms with,” he said.

Out of the 36 victims of the plane crash, eight were from Nakuru.

Kiambu Governor Ferdinard Waititu, Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui and his deputy Erick Korir, and Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri attended the service.

Kinyanjui said they will continue providing counselling to the families.

“We will support the families in every way. We will also continue providing counseling services for the bereaved families,’ Kinyanjui said.