Embakasi gas explosion: Health ministry appeals for blood donations

The Ministry of Health, through the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service (KNBTS) has called on the public to donate blood for victims of the Embakasi gas explosion.

Harry Kimtai, the principal secretary of the State Department for Medical Services, noted that the incident resulted in critical injuries.

Donations are taking place at the Nairobi Region Blood Transfusion Centre (RBTC), Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital.

Kimtai said KNBTS has also activated its blood centres countrywide, from where donations will be sent to the Nairobi RBTC for dispatch to hospitals.

Thus far, at least three people have been confirmed dead and nearly 300 injured in the explosion at Mradi in Embakasi East, Nairobi.

The fire is said to have started at around 11.30 pm after a lorry loaded with gas exploded, affecting neighbouring establishments and residential properties.

Some 15 survivors were taken to the Kenyatta National Hospital, 167 to Mama Lucy and 35 to Mbagathi.

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura earlier said plans were underway to ensure families affected receive food, shelter and other types of aid.

"The small-scale traders who were affected by the fire are also to be compensated by the government," he said.

Mwaura further assured that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) will probe claims of corruption in the issuance of the operating license to the LPG facility.

"Owners of the company must be held accountable for the incident and the company will cease operating from the site. It's not acceptable that such facilities exist in residential areas," he said.

Earlier, the Petroleum Institute of East Africa (PIEA) isued a statement saying the owner of the gas facility was arrested in 2020 and convicted of illegal operations.

PIEA General Manager Wanjiku Manyara said the site in Mradi, Embakasi, is the very one over which a criminal case was instituted on November 9, 2020, against the business proprietor and his clients. They were all found guilty of the crime.

In terms of aid, the Kenya Red Cross Society and MSF distributed non-food items to tvictims and said families will receive Sh6,000 per month for sustenance.

"Red Cross has the platform to provide for cash transfers for those whose houses have been destroyed. Rent will be provided for two months," Mwaura said.

He further called on well-wishers to support the victims of the fire tragedy.