This archive report was first published on 9 May 2020.
Published on May 9, 2020, a tragic incident occurred in Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya, where a 78-year-old woman lost her life in a stampede during the distribution of relief food.
According to eyewitnesses, Margaret Nekesa was struggling to get a share of the food at a local assistant chief's office in Machewa when she was hurt. Her daughter, Everlyne Nabukwangwa, described the incident, saying, "My mother was badly injured in the stampede as crowds surged forward to get supplies from the National government. She succumbed to injuries while being treated at a hospital."
Resident Dennis Wambalaba reported that several people, including a middle-aged woman with her two twins, were injured in the stampede. He added that dozens of people, including children, were injured, and most were rushed to a nearby health facility for treatment.
County Commissioner Sam Ojwang described the incident as unfortunate, stating, "It is regrettable that life has been lost. This should not have happened. A proper way should have been used to distribute the food."
Local MP Caleb Amisi called on the National government to treat his constituency equally to other slums, such as Kibra, Mukuru Kwa Njenga, and Kawangware, in terms of food distribution. He emphasized that many of his constituents are suffering due to the curfew imposed, which has led to the closure of many businesses.
Rights activist Immaculate Shamalal demanded that the family be compensated and the local assistant chief be held accountable for the careless actions.
