Kariobangi fire death toll rises to 10

By Standard Reporter

The death toll from the Kariobangi paint factory fire has risen to ten after the company director and his wife succumbed to burns at Kenyatta National Hospital.

The director, Vincent Odhiambo died Friday evening while his wife Roselyn Akinyi Odhiambo died in the morning.

The two were admitted to the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) following the Tuesday evening fire at Picasso Chemical Factory.

Eight workers at the paint-making factory were burnt to death in an inferno in the business premises that also serves as a residential block in Kariobangi.

Incidentally, the tragedy hit members of the same extended family working at the family business.

Only three people escaped when the fire broke out. The rest were trapped and burnt beyond recognition.

Family members have now appealed to the public and well-wishers to help raise funds to meet the funeral expenses.

Speaking after a meeting at a Nairobi hotel, the organising committee said a fundraiser is scheduled for Sunday May 29, at Railways Club.

"We held our first meeting today and set up a 15-member committee to raise funds towards funeral expenses," said committee chairman Edward Ng’ong’a.

The deceased come from Alego Mur, Malanga village, Siaya County.