Kenya gas blast victims hope for quick compensation
A giant gas explosion in a densely populated area of Nairobi has killed three people and injured hundreds, and destroyed nearby homes and businesses. A criminal investigation is underway, and residents who have been affected by the blast urgently need help.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00 A massive blast rips through a residential area of Nairobi in the middle of the night.
00:07 We are entering the scene where the huge explosion took place.
00:10 The whole devastation of this huge explosion that was caused by a lorry that was filled
00:15 with liquid petroleum gas, and the government put out a statement saying that that was what
00:20 caused the fireball, that also reached some flats, some small businesses.
00:25 People were absolutely terrified when they woke up around midnight.
00:29 They said the ground was shaking and many tried to escape and they got burned in the
00:34 process.
00:35 Jacqueline Karimi had no idea what had happened.
00:39 Even though I was unconscious, when I heard a bang, I heard that gas exposed and the gas
00:44 entered in my nose.
00:46 I slept flat.
00:50 I still comforted myself.
00:52 I stood and ran, ran and ran.
00:55 So when I reached around the boundary there, I was burned.
01:01 Jacqueline was not immediately treated at the nearest hospital.
01:04 At first they were turning accident victims away.
01:08 Many of the injured were transported to nearby hospitals where they are receiving treatment
01:12 right now.
01:13 And the government pledged that they will financially support those who got injured,
01:17 but also those who lost everything, their homes, their businesses.
01:21 Mwekeza Musima is one of those who lost his home in the fire.
01:25 Luckily he was away when it happened.
01:28 Like many people in this neighbourhood, he works odd jobs, earning just enough to survive
01:33 and send some money to his family.
01:38 I'll need the government's help, but there's so much corruption in Kenya.
01:42 The government may provide help, but it won't get to me.
01:47 Deputy President Riga Diga Shagwa arrives at the scene, promising blankets, food and
01:53 a thorough investigation.
01:55 He suggests the disaster happened because people have been stealing and illegally reselling
01:59 gas at the site.
02:03 This has been happening here for so long.
02:05 People used to come with their motorbikes laden with cylinders.
02:09 They'd fill them up with gas and leave.
02:12 Authorities say this densely populated area should have never been used for gas transactions.
02:18 The petroleum regulator confirmed the explosion happened at an illegal gas storage and refilling
02:23 site.
02:24 A criminal investigation has been opened.
02:28 Mwekeza Musima hopes that he and hundreds of others will get the compensation they need.