City Affairs

Death toll in Embakasi tragedy rises to seven

People run for cover following a series of explosions in the Embakasi area of Nairobi on February 2, 2024. (People run for cover following a series of explosions in the Embakasi area of Nairobi on February 2, 2024. (Photo by LUIS TATO/AFP)

By Mary Wambui | Tuesday, February 6, 2024

One more person succumbed to injuries following the explosion at Mradi area in Embakasi.

The death toll from last week's gas explosion at the Mradi area in Embakasi has risen to seven, the state confirmed on Tuesday night

In a brief statement, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura condoled with the affected families and called on Kenyans to report illegal gas filling stations through 020 3313004.

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"The list shall be used to ensure that action is taken to avoid any similar tragedy in future," he said.

Earlier, opposition leader Raila Odinga had blamed the tragedy on poor planning that he said has also led to a strain on drainage and sanitation facilities in the counties.

"Nairobi is mourning because city officials allowed the establishment of a gas filling station where none should have been," he said during the commissioning of the

Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company's new office on Tuesday.

The Embakasi explosion ranks amongst the worst fire tragedies to ever hit the country and has exposed gaps in the prevention and management of disaster in the country.

While the state has since arrested four individuals including the owner of the ill-fated plant, the tragedy that claimed lives and injured hundreds of others could have well been avoided, according to the victims.