A company that sold an electric blanket worth Ksh 250,000 to Gatundu South Member of Parliament, Moses Kuria, has issued a detailed statement following the unfortunate severe burning incident.
In the statement dated Thursday, October 7, the company first apologised to the lawmaker following the ordeal that forced him to undergo surgery.
According to the company, Moses Kuria purchased the electric blanket through a friend in one of their outlets in Nairobi.
Martin Mulwa, one of the researchers from the company, noted that the company sells high-quality products that have passed the quality mark as prescribed 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 went ahead to attach a copy of their certificate indicating that they have the approval to sell electric blanket products.
However, the Gatundu South MP has tabled a petition in Parliament to have the company investigated after the incident. He has also pushed to have KEBS and the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade led by Cabinet Secretary, Betty Maina, explain the criteria used to approve products sold to Kenyans.
The issue of electric blankets triggered some online debate with most Kenyans seeking to establish how it works.
An electric bedspread is usually made from heavy, sturdy material with an internally integrated wiring system that provides warmth and heat through coil wires.
They are normally plugged into an electric outlet and can be set on different levels of heat. Most common brands offer blankets with at least three heat levels – low, medium, and high.
The level of heat is controlled through an attached remote that can change the level of heat through the flick of a button.
In Kenya, electric blankets price vary from Ksh7,000 up to even Ksh1 million depending on the brand.
They are very effective heaters. They only need to run one for around 10 to 30 minutes on an average setting before switching it off.
In Kuria's case, he purchased the electric blanket to cure numbness on his feet.
But, while using the product his feet exploded compelling him to be admitted to the hospital. During the three weeks stay at the hospital, he has undergone three surgeries.
The outspoken lawmaker says he purchased the product at Ksh250,000.
