The number of people who died in a huge gas explosion in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, on Thursday has risen to six, authorities say.

Two more people succumbed to their injuries on Sunday while receiving treatment at the Kenyatta National Hospital, the country’s largest referral hospital.

Fifty-two others are being treated in different health facilities.

A lorry laden with gas cylinders blew up just before midnight in a densely populated area of the city, causing several fires.

The authorities have described the filling facility as illegal and said it had previously been demolished twice.

Kenyan police say they are pursuing seven suspects linked to the explosion, including the alleged gas plant proprietor Derrick Kimathi.

On Saturday, President William Ruto blamed incompetent and corrupt government officials for allowing the plant to operate in a residential area.