The National government has fully settled former first education minister Joseph Otiende’s hospital bill at avenue hospital in Kisumu amounting to over shillings one million. Vihiga County Commissioner Pauline Dola said the government has recognized the exemplary work accomplished by the late Otiende and has paid the pending bill.
“The government has paid shillings 1.14 million that accrued at the hospital. This will reduce the family’s burden,” said Dola.
She said the government through Principal secretary Karanja Kibuchu has also released shillings 350,000 that would help in the funeral arrangement.
“The government will ensure that the funeral programme is successful. We have also beefed up security in the area as we expect several leaders,” said Dola. Dola who was accompanied by area security chiefs added that the burial which was supposed to be on this weekend has been postponed to next week.
She said the state is keen to ensure that the former education minister is given a gallant send off. Otiende died at Kisumu Avenue hospital and quit politics in 1969 after he lost his MP seat. The administrator was speaking to the press in her office at Vihiga County Headquarters.
