Leaders in Busia County have urged the government to consider providing professional counseling for pupils and parents of Ebenezer Academy, following the loss of eight pupils through a tragic road accident last Saturday.
Speaking during the requiem mass for the departed souls at Busia Polytechnic grounds Thursday, the leaders noted that the school fraternity has been greatly affected.
“What is needed most in that school is professional post burial counseling, especially those who survived during the accident and others who were in the same class with the departed souls,” they told Busia governor Dr. Paul Otuoma.
Otuoma said that counseling services will continue alongside other necessary support to assist the pupils and the general school fraternity cope up with the loss.
The governor pointed out that many lives have been lost at Kaburengu black spot, but nobody has yet taken action.
He called for the re-designing of the road with a view to reduce accidents.
The governor promised to dispatch representatives of the County leadership to join the bereaved families in burying their loved ones in their ancestral homes.
Busia Acting County Commissioner Kipchumba Ruto said that the local leadership has been playing an important role in counseling the pupils and the bereaved families since the incident occurred.
Ruto thanked the religious leaders for standing with the affected families and supporting them.
“We still need counselors to counsel parents and other members of the community,’ he said, adding that they are emotionally affected.
Matayos Member of Parliament Godfrey Odanga said that the loss of the eight pupils was very devastating.
Odanga advised users of social media to avoid posting gory photos of the incident and spreading unconfirmed information on various online platforms.
“I want to urge the Kenya National Highway Authority to redesign the road,” he said, adding that leaders from Western will soon make a delegation to KenHA and the Ministry of transport to have the scene of the accident turned around.
Earlier on, emotions ran high as pupils and the affected parents found it difficult to come to terms with the loss.
By Salome Alwanda
