The government has announced plans to pay two months’ rent for families affected by the explosion of Embakasi gas plant on Thursday, February 1.
In a statement, government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said the Kenya Red Cross will implement a strategy to pay for the rents.
“The Kenya Red Cross has implemented a mechanism to cover two months’ rent for the affected individuals, amounting to Ksh 6,000 per month. We thus urge landlords to accommodate them on humanitarian grounds without the expected requirements,” said Mwaura.
The government further directed individuals who lost their academic certificates and tragedy during the fire to register at Embakasi Social Hall.
According to Mwaura, this is in order for the government to facilitate the replacement through National Registration Bureau (NRB), and other bodies such as the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).
Embakasi Explosion Death Toll & Injuries
Mwaura reported that three more individuals had succumbed to their injuries, raising the death toll from the Embakasi Fire Incident to six.
He noted that other injured patients are receiving medical care at Level 6 hospitals at the Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital and the Kenyatta National Hospital.
Mwaura explained that Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital admitted a total of 27 patients, with 8 already discharged and 19 currently under care.
On the other hand, Kenyatta National Hospital received 67 patients from the incident, with 6 in critical condition, suffering from severe burns.
The hospital has successfully discharged 27 patients, while 34 others continue to receive care in various wards.
“Due to anticipated kidney conditions, Renal Units in these two hospitals are well equipped and prepared to offer dialysis services to the patients. This is due to the close correlation of the skin and the kidney as they support each other in disposing body wastes,” said Mwaura.
Donations to Families
Besides, Mwaura said 761 beneficiaries got direct supplies from the multi-agency response at the Embakasi Social Hall.
The beneficiaries got a package containing portions from, 50kg bags of rice, 761, 50kg bags of beans, 1522 pieces of blankets, 600 pieces of jikos, 40 sleeping mats, 50 cartons of bar soap, 761 kitchen sets, 50 cartons of corned beef, and 5 bales of sanitary towels.
“After this commendable effort, the hall still retains balance of food and essential items, including rice, beans, and kitchen kits for those still in hospital, or haven’t come gone for their share,” read the statement.
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He said many affected families have found alternative accommodation while 28 families, comprising 30 adults and 19 children are taking shelter at the Social Hall.
“The ongoing efforts focus on assisting these families in transitioning back to normalcy,” he said.
The spokesperson mentioned that the government will continue to give support to the 761 families with the support of the other partners.
He appealed to the public for blood donations and support for the families of the deceased, reflecting the unity and resilience inherent in our Kenyan community.
Ruto’s Order
Speaking two days after the explosion, President William Ruto ordered the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate and arrest the owner of the illegal Embakasi gas plant.
“I have instructed the Ministry that those officials who licensed the gas station in a residential area against the law to leave office by end of today and be jailed,” said Ruto.
Without naming the agency responsible, Ruto said the approval of the facility was out of corruption.
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“I want to say without the avoidance of doubt, the government officials who issued licenses for gas installation in residential areas when it was very clear that it was the wrong thing to do but because of corruption and incompetence.
“They issued licenses, today we have Kenyans who have died, those fellows, who are involved in this, the Ministry must immediately take action,” Ruto said.
NEMA Arrests
Ruto’s order was followed by the arrets of four officials from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) for issuing license to the Embakasi gas plant.
NEMA stated that its board had noticed some gaps in the licensing procedure and processes and began probe into the matter.
Further NEMA indicated that the four officers included the Director Environmental Compliance, Acting Deputy Director Compliance, Senior Environmental Officer-EIA Section and the Head of Environmental Impact Assessment Section.
