The number of people who have died at the Kenyatta National Hospital following the Sinai village fire tragedy has risen to 35.

Hospital spokesman Simon Ithae on Monday said 38 people are still admitted in various wards where they are being treated for burns. Speaking to the Nation, Mr Ithae said the hospital had collected 2,533 pints of blood from donors and described the response as â€Å"overwhelmingâ€Â�. â€Å"However, we still require items such as drugs, bandages, surgical and skin grafting knives among others for post-operative care for the patients,â€Â� he said.

Cost of treatment

Estimates by the hospital's chief executive Richard Lesiyampe indicate the cost of items for treating the fire victims in a month is Sh50.7 million and is expected to rise to Sh205.1 million for three months.

The list includes assorted medicines, antiseptic dressings, intravenous fluids, medical appliances, multi-vitamins, energy drinks and eggs among others. A patient, Mr Michael Kyalo, 18, says he is on the road to recovery after he was referred to the facility from Mater Hospital. â€Å"I'm likely to be discharged today and head to the Tom Mboya Social Hall where homeless victims are camping,â€Â� Mr Kyalo said.

Another patient at the hospital, Mr Simon Kurwa, 41, said he was responding well to treatment. He was heavily bandaged on his head, neck, legs and hands. He was also referred to KNH from Mater Hospital. Another victim, Ms Regina Nduku, 30, recalled the force of the blast made her fall and suffered burns on her face and hands. She is able to walk now and will be discharged soon. Separately, the Kenya Pipeline Company donated Sh1.2 million to help identify the bodies of five fire victims whose bodies were badly charred.

The company's managing director, Mr Selest Kilinda, said that while investigators are still determining the cost of the fire, the company would help the survivors. â€Å"The donation is part of KPC's wider contributions towards alleviating the suffering experienced by the fire victims,â€Â� he said. The firm also donated special blankets and food to the survivors of the fire at the Tom Mboya Social Hall.

And a section of clergy from the ill-fated slum have asked the government to reconsider the impending eviction of residents. Viwandani Pastors' Fellowship said the settlement targetted was not on a pipeline and it would therefore be unfair to carry out evictions. According to Bishop James Mamayu, the group's coordinator, those who had settled on the pipeline were moved and compensated.