A devastating fire broke out on Monday night in the Mukuru Kwa Njenga estate near the Muhindi Mweusi area of Nairobi.
The blaze destroyed around 100 households, leaving many residents homeless. It ignited at approximately 9 PM, forcing families to seek refuge in neighboring areas as flames engulfed their homes.
Emergency Response Efforts
The Kenya Red Cross Society confirmed the incident and dispatched a rescue team to assist with the emergency response. They stated,
Local authorities, including the Nairobi Disaster Management team and police officers, arrived shortly after the fire broke out.
They helped extinguish the flames. Eyewitnesses captured videos of residents watching helplessly as their properties went up in smoke while responders worked to rescue anyone trapped inside.
The Mukuru Kwa Njenga fire adds to a troubling trend of fire incidents reported across Kenya, particularly in schools.
Just days prior, a fire at Katoloni Mixed Secondary School in Machakos County left two students critically injured and 13 others with minor injuries.
Preliminary investigations suggest that this incident may have been linked to arson.
Calls for Improved Safety Measures
In light of these recent events, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced mandatory inspections of schools nationwide.
These inspections will ensure compliance with safety protocols outlined in the Safety Standards Manual.
As investigations into the cause of the Mukuru Kwa Njenga fire continue, local leaders and residents express frustration over the delayed response from emergency services.
Many are calling for improved safety measures and quicker action to prevent such disasters in the future.