One of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s campaign tour to the Coast region during the 2017 repeat polls campaigns left an old man homeless! This is after the
rooftops of the four-roomed home of James Keah, a Kaloleni resident, was on October 2017 blown off by the strong gust of wind caused by the blades of a landing helicopter in which Uhuru travelled in. However, the head of state has compensated the 77-year-old man Sh250,000 for the damages caused.
Kaloleni was among the constituencies likely to boycott the vote as urged by ODM leader Raila Odinga, who enjoys massive support from the region.
On the day Keah’s house was damaged, Uhuru and Deputy President William Ruto were holding a rally at Kizurini Secondary School, which is next to the house.
Keah was among the attendees
“There were two helicopters carrying the President and Ruto,” Keah said at his home on Friday.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw an open house. I had been informed of the damage.”
Coast Regional Coordinator John Elungata handed Keah the cash on behalf of Uhuru.
“I’m deeply touched by the president’s generosity,” Keah said.
During Uhuru’s landing, the rooftop of Kizurini Secondary School makeshift dining hall was also blown off.
Some debris fell but none of the students who were at the time having lunch was hurt.
The school received Sh2 million in compensation.
Deputy principal Naomi Kinuih said they used the money to build a modern dining hall.
“The new kitchen space is bigger and has modern equipment, which is making cooking and serving meals more fun and efficient,” she said at the school.
Elungata said Uhuru has been keen to repair the structures.
“And as expected, he delivered on his pledge. The students in this school and Keah are very happy,” he said.
Kizurini students representatives Nelson Maitha and Fenny Kadzo said they now spend less time queuing for food.