Kuria told Citizen TV journalist Francis Gachuri on Thursday, October 7, how a leg-warming blanket he received as a gift from a friend who purchased it from one of the company’s Nairobi locations led to his hospitalization.The blanket had resulted in the minor incident whereby he suffered burn injuries that prompted him to seek medical attention.
“I am in hospital because I was involved in a minor incident in which I burnt my legs,” he stated as he held the appliance.He held up the device during the interview while adding that his friend gifted him the blanket complete with instructions on how to use it.
“I was first told that you connect it to the power, which I did. I connected it to power and stepped on it. At night, my legs raptured and I had to be rushed to hospital the following day,” he stated.He added that he was rushed to hospital the following day where he underwent surgery after the doctor informed him that he suffered third-degree burns. He has been through three surgeries in relation to the incident so far.
Following the incident, he also pushed for the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade led by Cabinet Secretary, Betty Maina to explain the methods they use to sell approved products to Kenyans. This is despite the blanket company itself issuing a statement after the incident.
Martin Mulwa, one of the researchers from the company, noted that it sells high-quality products that are verified qualitywise by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).”We regret the unfortunate incident that occurred. It is not our desire to sell products that expose the users to any form of danger. The product was purchased by one of Moses Kuria’s friends and we did not know that he had pre-existing health conditions,” their statement read in part.
The company also added a copy of their certificate that clarified that they were authorized to sell the electric blankets.The matter has since elicited debate with a majority of Kenyans seeking answers to how the gadget works. The blanket is made from heavy material coupled with an internal wiring system that is linked to coil wires which provide heat.
As they are electric, they normally are plugged in to an outlet and a user can choose between low, medium and high heat, controlled by a remote. They are very effective in keeping someone warm, and one only needs to run it for 10 to 30 minutes approximately before switching it off.
The prices of one blanket in Kenya vary, with some brands offering Ksh7,000 for one, and the premium quality brands charging up to Ksh1 million. In Kuria’s case, he used the blanket to cure numbness on his feet, but they ended up exploding, leading to his admission to hospital.Scores of leaders paid a visit to him at the hospital, among them Deputy President William Ruto, ODM leader Raila Odinga Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, and Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali.
