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The family of a 34-year-old man who was boiled to death at a metal factory in Thika, Kiambu County on March 25th is set to sue for compensation.
Caleb Otieno was killed after he fell into a vat of molten steel at the Blue Nile Rolling Mills Ltd, where he worked for seven years.
The deceased’s father Martin Oraro, 74, said the family will move to court after compensation talks with the Thika-based steel manufacturer collapsed.
Oraro told Nation that the amount offered as compensation by the company was a ridicule to the family, citing the horrific way in which his son met his death.
“The company offered me Sh100,000, and when I asked them about the compensation, the HR manager told me that they would compensate me with a third of Sh21,000 that my son was earning per month for the five years he worked as a permanent employee,'' Oraro told Nation.
''They told me this would translate to Sh7,000 per month. When my other son John Agwambo did the calculations, we realized the compensation would be Sh420,000 for all the five years he worked there as a permanent employee, yet it is safety negligence at the company that made my son die. We felt ridiculed and denied justice.”
Oraro’s family will be burying three small bags of remains that were retrieved from the boiler, including a few joint bones and teeth.
“We have preserved them at General Kago Funeral Home in Thika. We feel frustrated and we will be moving to court after the burial,” Agwambo said.
Blue Nile Rolling Mills Ltd, which manufactures the Kifaru brand of steel products, declined to comment on the matter.
Thika DCIO Joseph Thuvi said the matter is still under investigations but he ruled out foul play in Otieno’s death.
The family of Otieno appealed to well-wishers for financial help to enable them to accord him a decent burial and seek justice.
Comments
Very sad case I hope the…
Very sad case I hope the company gets a heavy fine and they compensate the family
This is a tragic heart…
This is a tragic heart-breaking end of life for this young man. But even more tragic is the treatment the company would want to wrap the case and move on with business. 4k bucks, lets more on...Our home country can often be depressing..
What an insult to the family…
What an insult to the family. The company insurance must be held liable.
What is Thuvi investigating…
What is Thuvi investigating if he has already concluded there was no foul play?Why can’t he reveal to Otieno’s family he is powerless as the company is owned by expired murderer Kenyatta’s family which is ABOVE THE LAW?
Mzee Martin Oraro, 74, is…
Mzee Martin Oraro, 74, is between a rock and hard place. He could take the 420,000 and get a closure in his son's death or sue and die before a judge even listens to the case.
If the family can prove…
If the family can prove negligence on the company's part, they have a pretty good case,especially if it goes to they jury.
It is also interesting that the company suggested to pay based on the current salary,andlength of work as a permanent employee.Well how about paying for 30 years the fellow had till retirement age?
That won't work because the…
That won't work because the pace of justice in Kenya is either glacially slow or at a standstill if you are poor and seeking justice from the wealthy, well connected and powerful. In thirty years plaintiffs and witnesses will be dead and buried. Conversely, if you are a poor respondent you can count on quick, harsh retribution.
Most employers take humans…
Most employers take humans as just tools to replace if broken or dead yet without humans they can't make money. Where's Francis Myororo Atwoli?
So sad and nothing on the…
So sad and nothing on the whole WORLD can compensate this innocent Citizen. That's the safety neglect thing from the Labor and industry as they are supposed to follow up with safety assurance of the Citizens and neglect from the Government for failing to follow up with the Ministries for a quality services.
This is wrong and all of them plus the company are supposed to face justice for this Citizen. He May rest in peace.
The company should and must…
The company should and must offer them at least 100m as compensation.