Nairobi fire fighters' response to disasters badly wanting

Three separate fires occurring in Nairobi on Wednesday evening have helped to highlight the inadequacies of the Nairobi county government when it comes to dealing with fires in the city.

At Gikomba market, fire broke out (yet again) while property was destroyed in a Kawangware inferno. Kenyatta University students aggrieved by the university management's decision to bar one student from contesting the student elections set property on fire at the campus.

Nairobi's fire fighting department could not dispatch fire engines to Kawangware because they were engaged in putting out the fires in Gikomba and Kenyatta University.

KU students are said to have chased away fire fighters to make sure as much damage as possible was caused. Since that was clearly an act of arson, the students must be made to bear responsibility for the damage and loss.

The question of unpreparedness in disaster response and inadequate fire engines continues to haunt residents of Nairobi who dread fires because they know the fire department cannot be relied on to give any meaningful help.

In 2011, former President Mwai Kibaki launched four modern fire engines that were touted to have the capability to handle fire outbreaks within Nairobi and its precincts.

What happened to these fire engines? Considering that Nairobi is a rapidly expanding city, what are the priorities of the county government in making it safe and appealing to both locals and foreign investors who are apprehensive of incidents that could expose them to huge losses?

The possibility of fires breaking out in the city and the outskirts as a consequence of illegal power connections and poor electrical workmanship should have ensured that the county government makes fighting fire a priority.

By virtue of being the seat of government, Nairobi collects enough revenue to give competent service to tax payers.

It has the capability to buy new fire engines and install fire hydrants and water points at strategic pionts around the city to ensure that fire engines do not run out of water midway through fighting fires, as is the case currently.

In 2013, Governor Evans Kidero launched 12 motor cycle fire engines in Kibera but their efficacy was challenged by the Fire Brigade Association.

As an interim measure, it behoves the county government to repair all broken down engines instead of allowing them to be vandalised in garages while unscrupulous individuals wait to corrupt the procurement process to benefit from it.

Since the establishment of the central fire station in 1902, it remains the only station in Nairobi. The establishment of several other sub-stations becomes a must to improve efficiency in emergencies. By now, the importance of having a sub-station in Gikomba should be apparent to the authorities.

The fire fighters in Nairobi are said to be slightly over 100 serving a population of over four million residents. This disparity should be addressed as a matter of urgency.

Reliably, the county government has set aside 100 million for fire engines. Purchase must be expedited.