Huge turnout as blood donors respond to plea

By STANDARD REPORTERS

The Nairobi County Government has opened a new blood donation centre at Uhuru Park to cope with the overwhelming response by the public to assists victims of the Westgate Mall terrorists attack.

Launching the initiative yesterday morning, Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero lauded Kenyans for the huge turnout in response to urgent plea for blood donations to save the lives.

Senseless attack

“I wish to thank the huge number of Kenyans who have responded to our appeal for blood… The heartless criminals who carried out the senseless (Westgate) attack did not and will never break this spirit,” said Dr Kidero.

He said the new blood collection centre at Uhuru Park was opened after the Kencom bus terminus blood donation centre was overstretched.

Kenya Red Cross (KRC) Secretary-General Abbas Gullet said that so far Kenyans have donated 2,972 pints of blood. The exercise aims to collect about 5,000 pints of blood.

Expect more

“The response has so far been overwhelming and we expect more Kenyans to come forward. We have put in place adequate facilities to deal with the large turnout in the coming days,” said Gullet.

Over 175 people were wounded in the Saturday attack that left over 69 people dead.

Somali terror group Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Kidero also urged psychologists and other experts in counseling to come out and help those affected by the attack.

“I appeal to those who have counseling skills including psychologists, counselors, pastors and kadhis to lend their skills and expertise to those who were injured in the attack and their families,” said the governor.

Residents of Kisii County also turned up in large numbers to donate blood for victims of the Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi.

Led by Governor James Ongwae and his deputy Joash Maangi, the residents turned up at Kisii Level Five Hospital and at the Kisii University to donate blood.

Kisii Resident Judge Justice Ruth Sitati, Ongwae and staff from the Nakumatt Supermarket, Kisii branch, were among the first volunteers who donated blood on Monday morning. By midday, 200 pints of blood had been collected.

Red Cross officials led by National Second Deputy Governor Sammy Nyairo were on hand to coordinate the exercise.

Thanked residents

“I thank residents for turning up to donate blood to save lives. What happened in Nairobi was a heinous crime that we condemn in the strongest terms possible. We pray for a quick resolution to the hostage impasse and commend the efforts of the national government in this crisis,” said Ongwae.