By Betty Luke
Isiolo businessman-cum-politician has called on the Pastoralists Parliamentary Group (PPG) to petition the government to compensate lives lost to cancer and settle pending and current medical bills for cancer patients from Northern Kenya following claims that toxic waste was dumped in the region during late President Daniel Moi’s regime.
Mr Osman Shariff said if indeed the claims were genuine, the State was to blame for the increased cases of cancer in the region and should therefore take responsibility for the cases (including deaths) reported in the region since late 1980s when the waste is said to have been dumped there.
“A lot of people have lost their lives and others continue to suffer. A large number cannot afford cancer treatment because it is really expensive. The PPG should put the government to task so that it takes responsibility for its actions,” noted Mr Shariff.
The leader called on the MPs to take the matter seriously as it had subjected thousands of residents to untold suffering.
“The leaders have been pressuring the government to declare natural calamities as national disasters while we understand it is God’s plan. We want to see them put the same effort in pushing the government to address the cancer crisis that is caused by human activities,” he said.
This comes following a shocking allegations by former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo that the then Ministry of Energy while pretending to be scouting for oil in the region, dumped nuclear toxic waste.
Speaking during an interview with PLO Lumumba, in a video that has since gone viral, the former lawmaker claimed to have accessed documents that had the information and later confronted President Moi over the same.
“In my naivety, I decided to confront the President over the same. I informed him that I had information that the Ministry of Energy was lying to Kenyans that they were looking for oil while they were dumping toxic waste,” Mr Jirongo shared.
He said the former head of state got mad and, “he made noise and ranted for 30 minutes until his security team thought we were quarreling.”
Shariff’s sentiments were echoed by Toba Mosque Chairperson Jimale Golicha who wondered why the government would undertake such a life-threatening exercise and remain mum despite Kenyans raising concerns over the adverse effects.
“Instead of protecting its people, the government chose to cash in to allow the exercise to be carried out,” he claimed.
The leaders spoke during Wednesday prayers to mark Eid-ul Fitr, end of holy month of Ramadhan, at Isiolo Islamic Institute Mosque in Tuluroba.
They also took issue with how the government was handling the issue of the striking doctors saying there was the need to look into the interests of the poor people who cannot afford treatment in private hospitals.
“It is sad that President William Ruto keeps telling citizens to live within their means while he and other government officials go for trips every day. The money they spend on foreign trips is enough to pay the striking doctors,” added Mr Shariff.
He called on the Muslim faithful to continue showing mercy and kindness to the less fortunate even after the Ramadhan period.
