County to settle expenses of Muyeye quarry victims

Kilifi County Government will pay hospital bills and burial costs of the Muyeye quarry victims.

Three people died after a quarry where they were mining fine ballast from caved in because of heavy rains in the Muyeye area of Malindi Sub County, Kilifi County, on Thursday evening.

Two women and a man perished in the incident, while Paula Katana, an elderly woman, survived with multiple fractures and is recovering at Kilifi County Referral Hospital.

Yesterday, Governor Gideon Mung’aro pledged his administration’s commitment to compensating the victims’ families. He also warned residents against venturing into unauthorised quarries.

“As a county, we’re going to offset all medical bills and funeral expenses of the victims, and we will also support the victims’ families with food items and other donations,” he said.

Katana Thoya, a witness, said that the stone fell because of heavy rains, making the stone carve in on the victims who were working in the tunnels.

“Four of us were working in the tunnel when the front part collapsed, trapping us as we tried to escape,” she said.

Rescue operations led by the police, Kilifi County government disaster team and Red Cross.