Mixed reaction greeted Owino Uhuru slum dwellers in Mombasa County following a court judgement that awarded them KSh 1.3 billion after a five-year battle.
Some of the residents expressed joy saying they had finally got justice from the courts following a complaint they made over four years ago due to lead poisoning.
However, for some, it is has been a painful journey after their names were struck out of the beneficiary list even after testifying in court.
Among them is 64-year-old Alfred Ogola who told TUKO.co.ke his life changed after testing positive for lead.
“I have been using crutches since August 2019 after enduring years of pain in my legs,” he said.
Alfred a village elder who has been living in the slum since 1974 said his two children had tested positive and one of them had to quit school after developing mental disorders.
The father of 17 children said life has not been the same for him and his entire family since four of his family members tested positive for lead poisoning.
“Everyone in my family had to be tested and four members turned out to be positive, “ said Alfred.
Alfred said it had taken years of anguish for over 300 people to get justice since the matter was reported to the court.
He added that their life is still going on even after some of their neighbours lost their family members.
The father of 17 is glad that the case is over. He hopes that the government will honour the court’s judgement give them their due.
“I am glad that the case is finally over. We can now knock any door to make sure that we get justice,” he added.
For 73-year-old Elizabeth Mwailu, hers is a story of sorrows since she is not sure if she will get any money from the KSh 1.3 billion awarded by the court.
Painfully, she narrated how she found her name struck out from the list of complainants who had gone to court to seek justice.
“I was among the people who swore an affidavit and testified before the court for all of us to get justice,’ she said.
“I cannot explain how my name was struck out from the list of complainers and one of the people who tested positive for lead poisoning,” she added.
Elizabeth who lives in a single room in the area located in Jomvu sub-county said it had not been easy for her to feed and take care of her five children.
She said her family had been living from hand to mouth and being the sole breadwinner, she could no longer work due to the pain she has been experiencing after she got affected by the lead extracts.
“I have been taking care of my family having lost my husband back in the years. It has not been easy at all after the pain I have been experiencing since 2015,” she added.
Another victim is Wilfred Kamenji who said he had been taken in for witness protection for five years when the case was going on.
“I have been a resident for 17 years now, and I am glad that the court has heard our cry. I hope we are going to receive the cash as directed,” he said.
Alfred attested that it had been a long and tiring journey having gone through a lot of challenges to get justice.
“While under witness protection, I was moved from one town to the other. I am finally glad that our cry for justice has been heard,” added Alfred.
He added that his two children had also tested positive and when under witness protection, his wife and children had to be moved to a safer place where they were under medication.
Asked if he was okay with the amount of money awarded by the court, Alfred said the court had put into consideration so many issues which finally led to the verdict.
“While implementing the cleaning of the environment, the government should bring in experts who will work closely with our youths in a bid to create job opportunities,” he added.
Alfred hopes the court’s judgement will be honoured and from that most of their lives will change.
Centre for justice governance and environmental action executive Phyllis Omido expressed her gratitude to the people for standing firm as they fought for justice.
“It is a journey and it has just begun. We have lost so many people form this lead poisoning and we thank God that our prayers have been answered,” she said.
Story by Caroline Mwawasi, TUKO.co.ke correspondent – Mombasa county
