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Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has announced that she will meet the medical bills of police brutality victims in her county.

Wanga led Homa Bay county residents in lighting candles to mark a vigil for victims of police brutality at Rusinga Island Lodge in Mbita Sub-county on Wednesday, July 26.

The governor who was accompanied by her deputy Oyugi Magwanga, the County Assembly Speaker Julius Gaya, Clerk Faith Apuko and Majority leader Richard Ogindo in marking the occasion, said she will not abandon any Homa Bay resident who is grappling with hospital bills in the county.

Speaking during the occasion, the governor said the entire county government leadership is in solidarity with the victims of police brutality and their families.

“All Homa Bay County residents who suffered police brutality are going to have their hospital bills cleared. We are in solidarity with police brutality victims and their families,” the governor said.

Wanga to support bereaved families

The Governor said families who lost their loved ones will also be supported with funeral arrangements.

“We are sending our condolences to all our people who lost their loved ones in the whole country. We will support their burial arrangements,” she said.

Wanga said demonstrations are constitutionally acceptable hence Kenyans should not be punished for demonstrating.

“The cost of living has escalated so highly that the people have the right to demonstrate their dissatisfaction. The people have the constitutional right to demonstrate,” Wanga said.

Magwanga urged the government to handle protestors in a humane manner.

The Deputy Governor argued that some of the current government officials had participated in demonstrations before, hence they should treat protestors as human beings who are expressing their constitutional rights.

“Some of the people who are currently in the government also participated in demonstrations before. They should not perceive people who are demonstrating today as criminals,” Magwanga said.

“What we are witnessing today is very sad because a number of people lost their lives when they were expressing their constitutional obligation,” Magwanga said.

Gaya said it is prudent for the entire county government leadership to stand with the victims of police brutality.

“We are also in solidarity with the people who were arrested due to the demonstrations. We are united in ensuring that our people exercise their constitutional right,” said Gaya.

The event took place in line with an announcement made by Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition leadership.