Scramble for Food Donations in Kibra Leaves Two Dead, Scores Injured

Two people have been confirmed dead following a stampede witnessed during a food distribution exercise in Kibra, Nairobi on Friday.

Speaking on Saturday, Kibra police boss Andrew Musaisi said the two women succumbed to their injuries hours after they left the food distribution center. 

They are said to have suffered internal injuries and died while being taken to hospital for treatment. Several other locals sustained injuries in the melee triggered by a scramble for foodstuff.

Hundreds of residents had turned up at the Kibra DO’s office to receive food items donated by Good Samaritans in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, which has left many Kenyans jobless and without food.

Police officers were forced to lob teargas canisters to disperse the crowd after the event turned chaotic.

As a result of this incident, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has banned uncoordinated food donations and distribution, saying such activities should only be done through county governments, county commissioners and COVID-19 Fund Board.