Embakasi: Alfred Juma says aftermath of gas explosion has subjected him to acute stress

Alfred Juma is a representation of many, who are not only counting huge losses but also nursing wounds following the Embakasi fire which claimed six lives and left 280 people with injuries.

Following the overwhelming traumatic incident on late Thursday, Juma who was lucky to come out alive, now says he is battling with psychological torture.

How Embakasi gas explosion affected residents

Speaking to a local TV satation, the victim said it was so painful to see his once main source of income disappearing.

“So many questions are running through my mind. How will I cope with life… my only hope was in this business. If I look around for help, fellow residents are also crying. This has affected me and am tortured psychologically, ” Juma said.

Juma said the unspeakable incident had turned his life into a beggar, something which he never thought could happen to him.

“I have now been reduced to a beggar, ” he cried out.

Not only Alfred Juma who expressed his agony but also Terassa Mayaka who is currently at Embakasi Social Centre, which she now calls home, said the dreadful Thursday late night has really messed up with her life.

“It does not feel right because we are just here for treatment and after that, where will we go?” Mayaka asked.

The victim, who was living in a single room with her children, said her daughter was to join high school, and considering that all the arrangements she had made for her including books caught fire,  the dream of her girl has now faded away.

“My daughter was supposed to join form one. All the shopping and everything caught fire. We are left with nothing and her dream is now shuttered,” she stated.

According to mental experts, families and survivors should be closely checked; if not, the problem could lead to a bigger one in future.

“So currently what the Embakasi victims are going through is what we call acute stress disorder, the reason why, it is not yet one month old and it is more than three days old,” explained an expert.

Raila calls for compensation of Embakasi gas explosion victims

Yesterday, ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga said the government should compensate every family affected by the Embakasi gas explosion half a million in cash.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Odinga said,

“Each family affected by last week’s fire caused by the gas explosion in Embakasi should be given a cash compensation of Ksh 500,000. This is pure negligence on the part of the Kenya Kwanza administration.”