Kenya declares two-day national mourning

NAIROBI - Kenya's Cabinet has set Wednesday and Thursday for national mourning following the Sinai fire disaster that has so far claimed almost 100 lives.

A statement issued in Nairobi after a Cabinet meeting said during the two days, the national flag shall fly at half-mast and there will be no celebrations.

"The Cabinet that met under the Chairmanship of President Mwai Kibaki also expressed sincere sympathies to the families of those who lost loved ones, wished quick recovery to persons who suffered injuries and sent a message of hope to the many rendered homeless, " the statement said.

The fuel pipeline exploded on Monday morning, sending a huge smoke in the air over the slum, engulfing scores of people and scattering bodies that were left in various poses of anguish, burnt to the bone. The Cabinet promised government support for those afflicted by the fire tragedy.

The move came after the government announced that it would pay one year's rent for people living on designated pipeline as it helps them relocate to safer areas.

Special Programs Permanent Secretary Andrew Mondoh said victims of Monday's fire at Sinai were currently being registered as the government prepares to roll out a long-term assistance program.

On Tuesday, the rescuers and residents were searching the river, wading through the sewage and burnt bodies with only plastic gloves for protection.

Kenya Pipeline Company said Monday's explosion was caused by an over-pressurized pipeline. The gasoline inside leaked out into a sewer and the river running through the slum and then ignited.

The firm's Managing Director Selest Kilinda has also advised the public not to buy petroleum products from unlicensed persons to avert further disaster as he said the situation in the slum has been brought under control.

Kilinda said there was spillage of petroleum products from the by-pass between Nairobi-Mombasa pipeline (line 1) and Nairobi - Eldoret pipeline (line 4).

He said the Nairobi-Mombasa pipeline was immediately shut down upon detection of the spillage and Nairobi terminal receiving station isolated.

"The section of the pipeline was depressurized and emergency response initiated to the site to contain spillage which had flowed to the storm water drain leading to Mukuru-Sinai Area," he said.

Meanwhile, according to the statement, the meeting also approved a Constitution Amendment Bill 2011 that proposes to move the general election to December. The suggested date is the third Monday of December, every fifth year.

The constitution provides that an election will be held on the second Tuesday of August, every fifth year.

"Cabinet found the date to be appropriate in view of the government budgetary cycle and the time required for preparations for the next elections, especially in regard to the issue of devolution and delineation of constituencies," said a statement.

It also approved an amendment that will provide an elaboration on the application and compliance of the requirement of a minimum one third parliamentary seats for either gender.