Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has recently raised concern over the increasing number of Kenyans admitted to the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) following the stampede at Moi International Stadium, Kasarani, during the public viewing of the late opposition leader Raila Odinga’s body.
The senator, who visited the facility on Sunday evening, noted that medical personnel were struggling to manage the high number of patients arriving from the tragic incident.
According to Omtatah, KNH received more than 40 casualties, with one person reported to have succumbed to injuries.
Okiya Omtatah Sounds Alarm on Rising Kasarani Stampede Victims at KNH. Photo: Courtesy.
He noted that the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit has been operating under immense pressure as staff work tirelessly to attend to the victims.
Omtatah urged the government to provide additional support to the hospital to ensure all patients receive adequate care, describing the situation as overwhelming but being handled with dedication by medical teams.
He went on to state that despite the emergency nature of the situation, many of the injured were still being asked to cover their treatment costs.
According to him, only a small number of the patients qualified for emergency medical waivers under the existing framework.
He pledged to push for immediate government intervention to ensure that all victims of the stampede receive adequate medical attention without being hindered by financial challenges.
Omtatah appealed to the government, through the Ministry of Health, to extend support to the victims and their families during this difficult time.
He also urged the implementation of comprehensive reforms to strengthen Kenya’s emergency response systems and boost hospital readiness for large-scale emergencies.
