Mutindwa deaths expose city’s class divide
Nairobi has been mourning from September 21 when terrorists struck Westgate Mall, killing 70 people and injuring about 200 others.
Before the mayhem could be forgotten, another tragedy occurred on Wednesday when a train crushed a matatu at Mutindwa, killing 12.
But unlike Westgate where almost every Nairobian was ready to help, the show of solidarity was not there last week.
This has caught the eyes of critics who think the Westgate show was mere window dressing.
Of all city leaders, only Senator Gideon Mbuvi Sonko took time to visit the scene.
Kenya Red Cross responded almost immediately.
But sad as it may be, there were no calls for help for victims and their families. And Kenyans took note in their tweets.
“Deafening silence frm #GOK @kenyaredcross @safaricomkenya and #weareone “patriots” on #mutindwa accident!! Don’t the victims need blood? #KOT,” tweeted Samuel Kimeu on Friday.
In another tweet, he wondered why there were no public attempts to clear hospital bills for the victims. He expressed concern why Kenyans on Twitter (KOT) had been silent.
Only a few weeks ago, Kenyans were called to unite after the Westgate attack. They came together and raised more than Sh100 million in less than a week and donated more than enough blood.
It was a show of unity and for once, tribal and political affiliations and bigotry were forgotten.
Other victims include those whose houses were razed at Fort Jesus.
Ancera Wanjiku, a resident of Fort Jesus, says poverty is to blame for the state of affairs.
“Only the rich matter,” she says.