Nairobi County woman representative Esther Passaris has demanded a thorough explanation from Governor Sonko’s office following the death of fifteen people in the notorious Gikomba fore Thursday morning.
Taking her demands to Twitter, the MP has told County bosses and Gikomba market leadership to explain to the public the measures that have been put in place to evade future calamities.
“The departmental heads from the County Commissioner's office, the Fire Department, Disaster Management, County Trade and market leadership need to explain to the public what measures they put in place to counter such fires,” she said via twitter.
Ms Passaris’ demand comes hours after Gikomba Thursday morning fire’s death toll hit 15 as 70 remain critically injured. Over 60 victims are being treated at Kenyatta National Hospital and others are spread across health facilities in the capital, Nairobi.
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Some of the victims burned while others choked after inhaling poisonous fumes as they battled to save and salvage their property. A private emergency service provider, St John’s Ambulance, said 70 others, mainly traders, were taken to KNH and other city hospitals with burn wounds.
The flames broke out at around 1am at Kwa Mbao area, according to the Kenya Red Cross, before spreading to other parts of the informal market.
The blaze that consumed timber yards and bales of used clothes intensified at around 2.30am Thursday and by 7.30am, firefighters from Nairobi City County Fire Brigade were still battling to put it out.