My heartfelt condolences go to the families of those who lost their loved ones to worst fire tragedy that gutted Mukuru Sinai slums. Also, I pray and wish those admitted at the hospital a quick recovery. More than 100 residents lost lives. Most of them died on the spot and they were burnt beyond recognition while others lost the battle while undergoing treatment at various hospitals, with a huge number of them been admitted at Kenyatta National Hospital. The cause of fire was supper fuel spillage.

As expected, moments after sad news broke out, the top echelon of our leadership visited the scene and issued oral statements of sympathies and condoled with those who lost their loved ones. In addition, they pledged that investigations be carried out to find out the root of cause of the disaster. Once we get to the bottom of this tragedy, they assured, action would be taken against those responsible for the deaths. Thereafter they visited those admitted at KNH and gave similar assurances.

The leaders announced that the government would offset the medical bill of the survivors, offset funeral expenses including buying the coffins and ensure the affected families were compensated. Immediately after the Government statement, Kenya Pipeline Company issued theirs in which they ruled out the issue of compensation but made a bold admission that it was responsible for the tragedy. Notably, the pipeline passes beneath slum. According to slum residents, it was not the first time the spillage occurred but before it was a blessing because they used to scoop and sell the fuel.

Cleansing of tanks

Previously, the fuel discharged was diesel or Kerosene, which were less inflammable. Besides leaking pipes, the discharges usually occurred during the cleaning of fuel storage tanks and company emptied its contents to Ngong River passing through the slum. This time KPC discharged highly flammable super fuel.

Apparently, according to area residents' version, the fuel vendors, some of whom did not reside in the slum, had prior knowledge about the spillage. This is because they had long gone to source and were busy scooping the fuel at the time the fire broke out.

Other rumours indicated the company's officials might have deliberately discharged the fuel in large scale to conceal theft at the depots.

It's time to leave

For now, the affected residents of Sinai whose makeshift shanties were burnt down and lost all their belongings are camping at the Tom Mboya Social Hall.

The Government and Red Cross Society are taking care of them by providing food, medical care, bedding and blankets. It is not known how long they would stay at the camp because the political leadership is embroiled in a tussle on how to handle the issue. Some of politicians are opposed to the relocation of the slum dwellers until the Government provides them with an alternative that would see them get back to their normal life. For other politicians, it is time for them to leave.

However, as the politicians make political mileage out of the unfortunate incident, the question that comes to mind is 'Who's to blame?' For me, the government shares the biggest blame because it knew it was only a matter of time before the disaster happen at the slums. How come they failed to relocate them? Even if there were some resistance, the government would have addressed the issues raised and have its way. It is wrong for a government worth its salt to allow its citizenry to live in an environment where they stare at death.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time, and may be not the last, the country has witnessed tragedies. However, apart from condoling with the families, offsetting medical bills and buying coffins, the Government has failed provide solutions to tragedies. For how long will the State continue to bury its head and for how long will Government officials take the back seat and watch the loss of lives of innocent citizens through tragedies that could have been avoided? For now, let us trust that the Government will do something.

{Joseph Mutua, Nairobi}