Nation in mourning as toll rises (KENYA)

Stephen Mudiari | NATION Volunteers search for bodies of Sinai fire victims in Ngong River on September 13, 2011. Scores of people have been reported missing.

President Kibaki on Tuesday declared two days of mourning as the government sought India’s help to treat the victims of the Sinai fire tragedy.

This followed a Cabinet meeting over the country’s worst fire disaster since the Sachang’wan incident in January 2009.

This followed a Cabinet meeting over the country’s worst fire disaster since the Sachang’wan incident in January 2009.

“The Cabinet has declared tomorrow, Wednesday September 14, 2011, and Thursday, September 15, as days of national mourning following the Sinai fire disaster. During the two days, the national flag shall fly at half-mast while there will be no celebrations,” a Presidential Press Services statement said.

It went on: “The Cabinet expressed sincere sympathies to the families of those who lost loved ones, wished quick recovery to persons who suffered injuries and sent a message of hope to the many rendered homeless. The Cabinet promised government support for those afflicted by the fire tragedy.”

Medical Services minister Anyang’ Nyong’o put the death toll at between 100 and 120 after five more patients with severe burns died at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).

“This number will depend on how many bodies we receive in the funeral homes,” the minister said without being specific about the death toll.

He said the five were among the 112 individuals admitted to KNH on Monday. Fifteen were discharged after treatment, leaving the 92 with severe burns at the facility.

Prof Nyong’o said they were seeking specialised help from India.

“We are already in talks with our colleagues in Gujarat, India, with the aim of exploring ways in which they can assist us in this tragedy,” he said.

Dr Loise Kahoro, one of the only 10 plastic surgeons in the country, said they would welcome any help.

The hospital’s chief executive, Mr Richard Lesiyampe, said most of the patients had sustained between 80 and 100 per cent superficial burns, adding that it could cost more than Sh70 million a month to treat the patients.

“Burns require special attention and their treatment is quite expensive... the costs are computed from the requirements such as alternate day dressing, antibiotic creams, non-adhesive gauze materials and crepe bandages,” he said.

Some of the patients will also require multiple surgeries to recover fully.

“This can only be done in sessions leading to high requirement for blood, extensive provision of pain killers and high requirement of food supplements with high nutrients. The patients will also require supportive services of occupational therapies and physiotherapy as well as counselling,” he said.

Speaking about the incident, the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) refused to take responsibility for the tragedy pending investigations to determine the cause of the fire.