Fire and cancer: Dangers of living under high voltage power cables

Houses under Kenya Power lines in Eastlands, Nairobi. Kenya Power has advised residents of Mathare, Mukuru, Dandora, Kibera, Embakasi Village and Dam Estate to keep off the lines. [PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO/Standard]

Mary Murimi, 37, has lived in Mukuru slums for the last six years. Mukuru, she says, is not the best place to live in the city but as the rent is only Sh2,500 for a two-room iron sheet house, this is the best she can afford.

Ms Murimi feels safe living in the house despite the many fires that are witnessed in the area that she says “miraculously never touched her home”.