Embakasi gas explosion: Victims struggle to start over after heavy losses

Residents of Embakasi East's Mradi area in Nairobi, where a gas explosion killed three and left almost 300 people injured, are devastated by the heavy losses they have incurred and say they do not know where to start in rebuilding their lives.

They have lost homes and sources of livelihood and are traumatised, while those with serious injuries have to bear with long recovery processes.

What's worse, they say, is that this was a disaster in waiting because of the number of gas depots in the heavily populated area.

Beatrice Nduta lost a Sh1.2 million poultry-rearing business that began with the purchase, just two days ago, of 600 layers, 250 chicks, and an incubator holding 528 eggs. She took a loan not knowing her huge investment would go up in flames.

In addition, one of Nduta's children was injured after jumping out of their house to safety following the explosion, while two of her tenants and her domestic help suffered severe burns and were taken to Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital.

"I'm now helpless, in debt and poor," she told The Eastleigh Voice.

Moses Oloiloi, a 67-year-old landlord, owned a property that housed 15 tenants. Following the explosion, the building constructed in 2012 collapsed, leaving many injured.

Oloiloi, a father of eight, said the rentals were his sole source of income. He placed his estimated loss at Sh5 million.

"Where do I start? I'm now old and don't have the energy to rebuild my life," he said.

James Ngoge, who lives across the street from where the fire broke out, told AFP that his business along the road was destroyed.

"We were in the house and heard a huge explosion. The whole building was shaken by a huge tremor, it felt like it was going to collapse. At first, we didn't even know what was happening. It was like an earthquake," he said.



Investigations and aid

Thus far, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is investigating the main cause of the fire, and efforts are underway to provide immediate assistance and support to those affected.

It has emerged that the owner of the site and his clients were found guilty in 2020 of illegal operations but were released on more lenient terms than a court recommended.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who visited survivors in hospital on Friday, has pledged that those responsible for the blast and fire that tore through Mradi will be "held accountable",

"As we call for caution and adherence to the rule of law, those culpable in this unacceptable occurrence will be held accountable," Rigathi Gachagua said on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday. He toured the site and visited victims at the Kenyatta National Hospital and the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital.

Gachagua noted that the "tragic and unfortunate incident... has caused deep agony and great pain to many families".

In the incident on Thursday night, a truck laden with gas canisters exploded, officials said. The blast ignited a huge fireball leaving a trail of destruction and sending residents running for their lives.

Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control by Friday morning, more than nine hours after it erupted shortly before midnight Thursday.

Officials of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) are set to appear before the Senate for questioning as part of the probe. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna said the Senate will ask for a list of all gas refilling plants in the country, their locations and emergency safety mechanisms.

Condolence messages

Many leaders have condoled with the victims and pledged to support them as they heal and seek to rebuild their lives.

Among them are Somali Ambassador Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle who shared his message on X.

"Our hearts go out to the victims and their loved ones during this difficult time. We also stand in solidarity with those injured, wishing them a swift and full recovery," he said.

Similarly, Norwegian Ambassador to Kenya, Gunnar Andreas Holm, said, "Horrible scenes. Our deep-felt condolences go out to those who have lost loved ones, and we pray for the speedy recovery of all the injured."

Additional reporting by AFP