Sakaja waives medical fees for Embakasi fire survivors

Governor says officers are also mobilising relief items in conjunction with other agencies

In Summary

•Governor Sakaja also stated that his officers are also mobilising relief items in conjunction with other agencies to ensure the comfort of all those affected.

•Sakaja highlighted that the county's emergency response teams are on site and on high alert to provide the necessary support.

Aerial view of the scene where the explosion happened on Thursday night in Embakasi on February 2, 2024
Aerial view of the scene where the explosion happened on Thursday night in Embakasi on February 2, 2024
Image: COLLINS APUDO

Nairobi county government has waived all medical fees for the victims of the Embakasi fire incident.

"The County Government has also waived all medical fees at the County facilities attending to the injured and bereaved," Governor Johnson Sakaja said on Friday.

The county boss also stated that his officers are also mobilising relief items in conjunction with other agencies to ensure the comfort of all those affected.

Following the accident on Thursday night, Sakaja highlighted that the county's emergency response teams are on-site and on high alert to provide the necessary support.

Also, all County Health and Medical teams are said to be managing the situation and also working hand in hand with the County Disaster and Risk management teams who continue to provide the necessary support to the victims of the fire incident.

The Governor also wished quick recovery to those affected and injured from the incident.

"The Nairobi City County Government stands in prayer with our sisters and brothers in Embakasi subcounty who last night were gravely affected by a devastating fire incident," Sakaja said.

"May the Almighty rest in peace the souls of those who lost their lives in this unfortunate incident."

The death toll in the Embakasi fire tragedy has risen to three, Deputy Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said.

He said more than 200 are admitted with serious injuries.

“We have three fatalities so far and our teams are still checking here,” he said.

Kanja led security officers to the scene as the search for more people continued.

Several vehicles were burnt in the incident.

The government on Friday also revealed further details from the fire incident.

Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura said a lorry carrying gas cylinders exploded.

"Yesterday (Thursday) at around 11:30 pm, there was a huge explosion at Mradi area, in Embakasi, Nairobi County. One Lorry loaded with gas exploded, igniting a huge ball of fire that spread widely," he said 

Mwaura further revealed that a flying gas cylinder hit the Oriental Godown nearby, burning it down. The godown deals in garments and textiles.

As a result, the inferno damaged several vehicles and commercial properties, including many small and medium-sized businesses.

Mwaura reported that 222 Kenyans were injured by the fire and have been rushed to various hospitals.

Some 21 survivors are at the Kenyatta National Hospital, 160 at Mama Lucy General Hospital, 19 at Mbagathi Hospital, 14 at the Modern Komarock Hospital, and eight at Nairobi West Hospital.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja speaking at the Customer Service Centre at City Hall Annex on January 3, 2024
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja speaking at the Customer Service Centre at City Hall Annex on January 3, 2024
Image: NCCG
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