This archive report was first published on 30 October 2019.
On October 30, 2019, the Busia County Government revealed that it had set aside Sh42 million to compensate the families of children who received a toxic malaria injection in 2015.
The decision was made after Chief Officer in the Governor's Office Ezekiel Okwach met with the affected children and their parents in the county headquarters.
According to Okwach, the money meant for compensation of the victims of Akichelesit has been factored in the 2019/20 Supplementary Budget.
However, this is not the first time the devolved unit is setting aside the funds following a High Court directive issued in 2017 to pay 28 children who suffered different levels of paralysis after being injected in a dispensary in Teso North in 2015.
Despite a previous assurance by Finance Executive Phaustine Barasa that the money had been factored in the 2018/19 supplementary budget, the money was never released.
Linus Asiba, the Budget and Appropriations Committee chairman, assured the parents of payment, stating that there is some Sh42 million in the current budget meant for compensation of the victims of the botched jab.
Okwach said Governor Sospeter Ojaamong's administration was keen to resolve the matter with the victims' lawyer, Bernard Ombui, 'in due course.'
The victims have already filed a suit against the county government for contempt of court.
Abel Okiror and Boaz Atyang are two fathers whose daughters were among 11 children awarded Sh2.5m each after suffering permanent physical disability.
Okiror expressed hope that this time round, the county will release compensation for their children.
Atyang said his daughter has difficulty walking due to weakness in the legs.
