Kitengela family demands answers from government after son dies in Dubai fire
Kioko, 23, was one of at least 16 people who died in the fire that ravaged an apartment building in the Al-Ras area of Dubai.
A family in Kitengela, Kajiado County, is pleading for answers following the tragic death of their son, Benjamin Kioko, who perished in a devastating fire in Dubai last week.
Despite multiple attempts to contact Kenyan authorities, the family claims they have received no official communication about the incident, leaving them in a state of confusion and grief.
More To Read
- Fire breaks out at JKIA, airport operations not affected
- Elders and activists in Isiolo demand swift action as three-day fire ravages grazing fields
- Christmas cheer for Kitui Village fire survivors as Eastleigh Voice offers support
- Over 85 students affected after JKUAT hostel goes up in flames, three hospitalised
Kioko, 23, was one of at least 16 people who died in the fire that ravaged an apartment building in the Al-Ras area of Dubai.
His family has expressed frustration over the lack of information from the government since the incident occurred last Sunday.
“We have tried reaching the embassy through our area MP, but to no avail. No government official has communicated with us about the death, and we are completely in the dark,” Kioko’s father, Anthony Muli, told The Standard.
“We have watched the video circulating on social media, and it’s heartbreaking. How do we just lose our son like that, and no one wants to talk about it?”
Muli explained that the family learned of their son’s death from friends and social media rather than any formal communication from Kenyan officials.
“We only got a phone call from an official at the UAE embassy once, but since then, there has been no word from them,” Muli said.
Benjamin was the eldest of three children and had travelled to Dubai seeking better job opportunities. He had initially worked with an agent who later abandoned him, leaving him to work as a casual labourer at various businesses until his tragic death.
The fire broke out on Sunday morning at a high-rise building in Sharjah, home to many Kenyans working in the UAE.
The fire has been reported to have killed at least 16 people, with nine others injured. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kenya confirmed that two Kenyans were among the victims of the fire that consumed the 44th floor of a 52-story building. The building is located in a district where many Kenyans reside.
In a statement, Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei noted that efforts to contact the families of the victims had begun, but noted that the identities of the deceased would not be released until the investigation was complete.
“The names of the victims will not be shared until then. Identities of victims have been concealed for now as the investigation to determine the cause of the fire continues,” Sing’oei said.
He further clarified that five people died in the fire, including two Kenyans, while two victims are still unidentified.
“The cause of death of the five is yet to be known until the autopsy report is out,” the PS said.
It is also suspected that one of the unidentified victims could be Kenyan.
Preliminary reports from Sharjah Police indicated that the fire began at 11:31 am on Sunday in a building that housed 1,500 people. Authorities said they have yet to release details on the cause of the blaze, though an autopsy report would be released to provide further insights.
The tragic incident has now left the Kioko family searching for answers, as they await further communication from both the Kenyan and UAE governments.
Top Stories Today
