Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


0

Kenya Mourns Double Tragedy That Killed 136

Grieving kin blame poor emergency response in 2 fires

Share

(Newser) – Kenyans are blaming the government for poor public safety and emergency response as they mourn the loss of 136 people in back-to-back fires at a Nairobi supermarket and on a rural highway. Emergency crews were slow to respond to yesterday's fuel tanker explosion, which came as they were still searching rubble from the market fire three days earlier, the BBC reports. "There was no response by any disaster team because there is no such team," said Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

A badly burned child is rushed to a hospital in Nakuru, Kenya, after an overturned petrol tanker exploded.
A badly burned child is rushed to a hospital in Nakuru, Kenya, after an overturned petrol tanker exploded.   (AP Photo/Sayyid Azim)
Relatives await of news of their loved ones in Nairobi after 25 died in a massive fire that swept through a downtown supermarket.
Relatives await of news of their loved ones in Nairobi after 25 died in a massive fire that swept through a downtown supermarket.   (AP Photo/Khalil Senosi)
Kenyans transport a burn victim, injured in an explosion after a gasoline tanker overturned, to a national hospital.
Kenyans transport a burn victim, injured in an explosion after a gasoline tanker overturned, to a national hospital.   (AP Photo/Khalil Senosi)
A burned petrol tanker lies on its side on Molo Road several hours outside of Nairobi, Kenya.
A burned petrol tanker lies on its side on Molo Road several hours outside of Nairobi, Kenya.   (AP Photo/Sayyid Azim)
Badly burned people receive treatment in Nakuru Provincial Hospital in Nakuru, Kenya, after the tanker fire.
Badly burned people receive treatment in Nakuru Provincial Hospital in Nakuru, Kenya, after the tanker fire.   (AP Photo/Sayyid Azim)
Kenyan Red Cross workers remove bodies from Nakumatt supermarket following the first large fire, in Kenya in recent days.
Kenyan Red Cross workers remove bodies from Nakumatt supermarket following the first large fire, in Kenya in recent days.   (AP Photo/Khalil Senosi)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Burn victims overwhelmed hospitals in Kenya after an overturned gas tanker exploded as hundreds of people were trying to scoop up free fuel.   (AssociatedPress)

View larger videos >>
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

It is so unfortunate that we have lost many people in two tragedies in less than a week. - George Saitoti, Kenyan interior minister

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.6.09
Galleon Scandal: Shocked, Shocked by Insider Trading
11.5.09
Rupert Murdoch Is Mad but Cute
0 comments
VIEWING:
 
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

9 Stories

Tough Work Awaits Kenya Lawmakers

Parliament, back in session, must figure out how to make peace deal work

Mar 6, 08 4:53 PM CST
(Newser) - Kenya's parliament reconvened today, the New York Times reports, and was immediately given the task of putting into law the power-sharing deal that ended the startling wave of violence that followed December's disputed election. "You must now become the ambassadors of peace and reconciliation,” President Mwai Kibaki told... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Africa • Kenya • Mwai Kibaki • Raila Odinga • Kenyan elections • ethnic violence • Kenya parliament

Kenya Stalemate
Frustrates Negotiators

Stonewalling by Kenya rivals paralyzing talks

Feb 26, 08 3:45 AM CST
(Newser) - Kenya's peace talks have ground to a standstill and the task of coaxing the country's two rival parties into an agreement is beginning to try even the patience of former UN secretary-general and lead negotiator Kofi Annan, reports the BBC. The two sides cannot agree on a power-sharing deal and... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Africa • Kenya • diplomacy • Kofi Annan • prime minister • power sharing deal • Mwai Kibaki • Raila Odinga • Kenyan elections

Kenyan Rivals Make Deal for Election Review

No progress seen on power-sharing or new government structure

Feb 15, 08 5:08 PM CST
(Newser) - Kenya’s president and opposition leader today unveiled an agreement to examine the hotly contested Dec. 27 election, but the sides have made no progress on a deal to share power, the AP reports. "There is real momentum," said mediator and ex-UN chief Kofi Annan. The deal also... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Africa • Kenya • Kofi Annan • Mwai Kibaki • Raila Odinga • Kenyan elections

'Sickening Brutality' Spreads
in Kenya

Annan meets with opposition leader

Jan 27, 08 10:06 PM CST
(Newser) - Ethnic violence and revenge killing continued unchecked in western Kenya today, with at least 17 more people beaten, hacked, or burned to death by mobs engaged in what the BBC correspondent calls  "sickening brutality" since last month’s contested presidential election. The death toll is nearing 750, the BBC... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Africa • Kenya • Kofi Annan • Kikuyu • Mwai Kibaki • Raila Odinga • ethnic violence • Africa Union

Scramble for Peace
After Kenya Carnage

African Union boss in talks today in bid to control spiraling violence

Jan 2, 08 5:26 AM CST
(Newser) - Political leaders scrambled yesterday to contain violence in Kenya as rioting and retaliation over an election dispute appeared to leave the nation teetering on the edge of bloody chaos, the BBC reports. Tens of thousands of people have fled their homes. At least 300 people have been killed, including 30... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Africa • Kenya • Mwai Kibaki • Uganda • Raila Odinga

9 Stories


Response to first fire delayed, too
News24 (South Africa)

People lured to tanker by free fuel
Daily Telegraph (UK)

'Modern city with 18th-century infrastructure'
Al Jazeera


World 
TwitterFollow @NewserWorld on Twitter

 
Africa • Kenya • oil • death • explosion • poverty • Raila Odinga • fire • mourning • public safety

from our news partners