Nairobi receives four fire engines

Nairobi Depurty Governor Jonathan Mueke and the Japanese Chief of Mission Mr. Mikio Mori outside City Hall on 8/4/2016. Photo: JOSPHAT THIONG'O

Four fire engines donated to Nairobi by Japan finally arrived yesterday.

During a visit to city hall, Japanese Chief of Mission Mr. Mikio Mori revealed that the fire-fighting apparatus, three fire engines with water tanks and one chemical fire engine have already arrived at the Port of Mombasa awaiting clearance.

Mikio further said that the Japanese government was committed towards training fire fighters across the county, in a bid to enhance their fire- fighting skills.

"The Japanese government will ensure that Nairobi City county Government fire-fighters are trained on the use of the firefighting equipment to enhance use of the equipment," said Mikio.

Nairobi City County Deputy Governor, Jonathan Mueke lauded the Japanese counterparts for their dedicated partnership saying that the fire-engines would help address the rampant fires especially in slum areas.

"The Japanese are experts in disaster management and therefore their experience will come in handy in improving how we handle disasters in Nairobi. The success of the Japan-Nairobi County firefighting partnership will be the start of an important relationship with Japan to combat fire incidents in the County especially in the slum areas where accessibility is usually a major concern," said mueke.

In May this year, 70 houses were destroyed and hundreds of families displaced after a fire gutted tin-sheet houses in Mukuru Kwa Njenga slums. According to the deputy governor, most of the fires in slums are caused by illegal electricity connections

Last month, Japan's Ambassador to Kenya H.E Toshitsugu Uesawa paid a courtesy call to Governor Evans Kidero and pledged Japan's continued support in Waste management among other undertakings.