This archive report was first published on 29 July 2019.
Deputy President William Ruto's promise to the family of a six-year-old boy who died after being knocked by a car in the DP's convoy remains unfulfilled.
Sydney Mambala, a Grade 1 pupil at Fanape Junior Academy in Budalang'i, died from respiratory failure and excessive bleeding at the Busia County Referral Hospital just two hours after he was referred by Port Victoria Sub county Hospital.
His family says the DP had pledged financial support but none has come their way, despite his personal assurance to Sydney's father, Felix Mambala.
“Ruto had personally called me and told me to take heart, promising to look into my family’s welfare,” Felix Mambala said on Thursday.
The DP sent his condolences in a speech that was read by Abdul Mwasera during Sydney's burial on June 15 in Mulwanda village.
“I know there is no pain far-fetching and deeper than losing a child. The death of the child is most certainly the hardest thing to overcome,” Ruto said.
However, Felix Mambala claims he has yet to receive any communication from Ruto or his office since his son was interred, with his efforts to reach him being unsuccessful.
“I’ve attempted to make several calls to the Principal Administrative Secretary in the office of the DP, Abdul Mwasera, but, surprisingly, all my calls go unanswered. We lost a child, the DP promised to support us financially and even secure jobs for us. What has really happened? Were we just fooled?” a devastated Mambala asked.
