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Relatives of the Malanga fuel tanker tragedy have petitioned the government to transfer the fire victims to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) for specialised treatment.

The relatives claim that some of the victims had succumbed to their injuries as a result of poor treatment and negligence by medics.

A fuel tanker exploded at Malanga village in Gem on July  18 while people were siphoning fuel from it killing 13 people on the spot.  

The accident has so far claimed 19 people and many others are nursing serious injuries at home and various hospitals in Siaya county.  

Condition deteriorated

Waving placards and twigs, the angry relatives demonstrated in Siaya town, urging Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe to personally intervene in the matter as they accused the local medical authorities of mishandling the treatment of their kin. 

They marched to the Siaya County Commissioner Mohamed Bare’s office where they presented him with the petition. 

The aggrieved relatives were led by Gaudencia Ajwang, who claimed that health facilities in Siaya lack capacity to offer proper treatment and save the lives of their kin.

“We are not happy with news of deaths of the victims of the tragedy admitted at the hospital.

It was a big mistake for our kin to be admitted to the Siaya County Referral Hospital,” said Ajwang.

She pleaded with Kagwe to move fast and save the lives of their kin, whose  condition had deteriorated in the past week.

“So far, the tragedy has claimed the lives of 20 people. Apart from the 13 people who perished on the fateful night,  two died on Monday morning, while two others succumbed on Tuesday last week. 

Fighting spirit

“The following day, two women aged 35 and 48 years died bringing the total number of deaths to 19,” said Ajwang.

A tearful Ajwang wondered  what the government was waiting for before it could heed to their petition to transfer their loved ones to better facilities such as KNH, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Referral Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.

The residents’ petition comes barely a week after Senator James Orengo and Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo expressed misgivings on the capacity of Siaya Referral hospital to effectively handle the  victims.

The two lawmakers had requested the government to consider transferring the patients to better equipped facilities with specialised personnel to treat the victims. 

“We have noticed that Siaya referral hospital lacks the capacity to handle burns of such magnitude and it would be fair if the victims are transferred to other facilities with the capacity,” said Orengo.

The senator  disclosed that more than 20 patients at the facility suffered  50 per cent burns  which makes evacuation necessary.

“I have seen many tragedies, deaths and horrible accidents and this one goes beyond comparison.

The sheer spirit of the human will to fight and survive is being exemplified by the many patients we have seen,” said Orengo. 

He commended medical personnel at the hospital for dedicating time and efforts towards saving the lives of the victims.

John Ochieng, a Gen resident also appealed to Siaya Referral Hospital management to allow them to assist their kin some of who suffered burns on the limbs and hands. 

He alleged the administration had denied them access to the wards yet some of the patients require care and support. Authorities at Siaya County Referral Hospital declined to comment on the matter.