Toxic waste claims: Isiolo Muslims now seek state compensation

Muslims in Isiolo want the government to compensate families that have lost relatives to cancer and provide free treatment for the deadly disease in Northern Kenya following allegations of toxic nuclear waste dumping in the region.

During Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at the Isiolo Islamic Institute Mosque in Tuluroba on Wednesday, the community expressed fury over the government's continued silence in the wake of the allegations by former minister Cyrus Jirongo.

Jirongo claimed last week that former President Daniel Arap Moi knowingly dumped toxic waste in northern Kenya, leading to a high cancer prevalence in the region. The incidents allegedly occurred between the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Led by Borana Council of Elders Secretary Jimale Golicha and youth leader Osman Shariff, the community implored the government to investigate the allegations and take legal action against any individuals found culpable.

"It is so sad that the government that should protect its citizens is exposing our people to such risks," Shariff said, calling on the Pastoralist Parliamentary Group to take up the issue and petition the government to offer compensation and free cancer treatment.

"Leaders from northern Kenya should focus on finding a solution to the man-made cancer menace instead of continually asking the government to declare drought and floods a national disaster."

Golicha asked the government to exhume and destroy the waste to prevent more deaths and environmental degradation, warning that failure to promptly do so will prompt legal action.

"We will sue the government if no action is taken against those involved and the waste is not destroyed," he said.

Muslims hold Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at the Isiolo Islamic Institute Mosque in Tuluroba, Isiolo County, on April 10, 2024. (Photo: Waweru Wairimu)

Other national issues

They also hit out at President William Ruto over what they termed a lack of seriousness in ending the impasse with striking doctors, who want a 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement fully implemented.

Shariff laughed off President Ruto's remarks that the country was struggling with a huge wage bill and had to live within its means, wondering who was funding the Cabinet's foreign trips.

"Why is it difficult to address the doctors' demands while Cabinet Secretaries and other top government officials have been wasting resources in the form of foreign trips?"

Golicha said the delayed resolution of the crisis indicated that the government was not concerned about the well-being of Kenyans forced to dig deeper into their pockets for health services at private hospitals.

Among the key issues behind the strike are higher salaries and promotions, internship postings for medical graduates, and improved working conditions.

The government has already released Sh2.4 billion to facilitate the deployment and posting of the 2023–24 cohort of medical student interns, which the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has rejected.

According to the 2017 CBA between doctors in public hospitals and the Council of Governors (CoG), the top earners would take home Sh582,954 while the intern doctors would earn Sh206,989, inclusive of allowances.

Muslims hold Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at the Isiolo Islamic Institute Mosque in Tuluroba, Isiolo County, on April 10, 2024. (Photo: Waweru Wairimu)

However, the government has proposed that medical and pharmacy interns be paid between Sh47,000 and Sh70,000 monthly.

"The doctors should also be considerate. The Sh70,000 being offered to the young trainees is okay considering they will also acquire experience during the internship," Shariff noted.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has declared the ongoing strike illegal and accused doctors of attempting to intimidate and threaten violence against healthcare workers who opted out of the industrial action.

Abdirashid Dida appealed to Kenyans to maintain peace and support government programmes geared towards improving citizens' lives, such as the housing levy.

The Muslim faithful further asked the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA) to crack the whip on rogue motorists and unroadworthy vehicles to prevent accidents, following increased fatal incidents.

"Passengers must speak out whenever they feel the drivers are careless and report them to authorities because they too have a responsibility over their lives," Shariff said.

Hundreds of Muslims thronged the field outside the Isiolo Islamic Institute Mosque as well as Isiolo town's Jamia Mosque for Eid prayers.

The leaders told them that the end of Ramadan should not stop their good deeds and compassion for the needy as Islam requires them to show love, mercy and care to all at all times.