NAIROBI, Kenya, 1 – At least 39 victims who were critically injured in the fire tragedy involving a tanker in Molo were on Sunday airlifted to Nairobi for specialised treatment.
The patients were immediately rushed to Kenyatta National and Referral Hospital (KNH) and other hospitals within Nairobi for treatment.
"Twenty five of the patients were admitted at the KNH’s burns unit while the rest are in the Intensive Care Unit in Nairobi, The Aga Khan and Mater Hospitals," said Public Health Minister Beth Mugo.
"We expect to bring from Nakuru 46 patients who require intensive treatment. I want to appeal to all Kenyans to donate blood because these victims will require a lot of blood and I am informed by the medical personnel that not less than1000 units of blood will be required," she said.
The minister said tents had been put up at the Nakuru Provincial Hospital where the victims next of kin could get information.
"We have also dispatched extra doctors and nurses and also those who deal with trauma and DNA specialists as well as pathologists to enforce those we have in Nakuru," she told Journalists at the Wilson Airport.
"So everything is being done and we should remain calm as we pray for those who have lost their loved ones not to lose hope."
Prime Minister Raila Odinga said investigation into the cause of the fire had been launched.
"We know that we will get over it and the government is going to do everything possible to ensure that the injured get the best possible treatment available in the country. We will spare no penny to ensure that the lives of all those who were injured are saved," he said.
"We want people to stay calm; we don’t want any kind of acrimony in this. This is the time for Kenyans to rally together as one people to phase this tragedy," Mr Odinga added.
The premier directed the Ministry of Transport to urgently deal with the issue of trucks loaded with fuel and other inflammatory materials parking on the roadside.
"It is dangerous and therefore we must have some safe parking places for these trucks so that they can stop parking by the roadside because they pose serious danger to the members of the public," he said.
Internal Security Minister, George Saitoti said all security measures were in place to ensure calm at the scene of the blaze.
"I am very proud to have to thank the officers (Police) from all the departments who have come out. We have seen the officers from the army, the doctors from the army, police are also on site in Molo and Nakuru," said Professor Saitoti.
He said the government had provided three aircrafts to ferry the injured to Nairobi after it emerged that Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital had been overwhelmed.
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