Return of many city fires as more property razed amid County unpreparedness

An aerial view of what remained after a fire gutted down part of Toi Market. The traders have called the DCI to conduct forensic investigations into the cause of the fire on August 3, 2024. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard] Property worth millions of shillings was razed down at the Mukuru kwa Njenga slum, just days after another fire killed four at Toi Market, in Nairobi. The fire, near Muindi Mweusi Supermarket, is suspected to have been caused by a power fault burnt seven shops, PAG Kware church and a storey plot of 28 doors all made of iron sheets. No one was injured or died in the fire, which residents suspect was caused by an electric fault due to illegal power connection. Eric Ambuche, founder of Slum Outreach Programme, said the fire started at around 12am on Monday. "I was called by the church guard at around 12am that there was fire. I ran there, informed the local administration as people continued to put off the fire," said Ambuche, who said luckily no one was injured or died. "It's unfortunate that those who had come to help looted. The firefighters from Nairobi City County took about 2 hours to come but we had to intervene to allow them to put off the fire." Ambuche called for reclamation of the public land near AA police station that was meant to construct a fire station and instead grabbed so that the fire station is established for quick response incase of future fires. "Kindly, Governor Johnson Sakaja, ensure the fire station is built here to prevent loss of lives and properties since fires in these slums occur often," said Ambuche. Rev. Milton Mudegu of PAG Kware Church and how has been there for nearly 20 years said he has lost about Sh6million in the fires. "We have lost a lot of wealth, we had a public address system of about Sh2 million, about 500 plastic seats and my library all totaling to about Sh6 million," said Rev. Mudegu, who said his entire church library which was part of his office was burnt down. On Saturday morning, another fire broke out at the famous Toi Market in Kibra Constituency, and four people, including a child, lost their lives after they were burned beyond recognition. The victims were burned when they tried to salvage their belongings. The fire also affected at least 2,000 traders who were left counting losses. According to Toi Market chair Kenneth Jumba, he suspected the fire was started intentionally. These two fire incidents bring memories of annual fires that gut city markets. And each time, traders and residents raise concerns about the Nairobi City County's preparedness to handle the fires. Often, lack of fire engines and inadequate water supply frustrate the efforts to put out the fires. On Friday, Governor Sakaja after visiting Toi Market said they have so far responded to five fire incidents. He listed fires in Kayole next to Naivas , Metro next to TRM, Umoja II market sheds next to the Chief's camp, Mathare next to the Air Force, Bondeni in Kibra and Kibondeni, Naivasha Road. Bramwel Simiyu, the Chief Officer for Disaster Management in the county government of Nairobi, said they have started plans to increase fire stations in the county. Simiyu said they also have plans to establish more fire stations in Kangemi, Clay City in Kasarani and Showground along Ngong Road. He said the Gikomba fire station is 60 per cent complete. He said another fire station will be built Kangemi, Jamuhuri, Showground and Clay City in the next FY. Simiyu said the Mukuru Kwa Njenga slum is covered by fire station along Enterprise Road and Kangundo stations. "We are also fainalising a partnership with Kenya Aviation Authority (KAA) to operate from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport(JKIA) and Wilson Airport," said Simiyu. He however admitted to the challenge of inadequate water "Water has been a challenge with many of the hydrants dried out. However, we are revamping all the boreholes in the six fire stations and working with Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company to address the issue of hydrants," he said. At that time, he also said the county has eight functional fire engines and has started setting up community disaster management and emergency teams in low-income areas that will be trained and equipped to be first responders in case of disaster. "The Disaster Risk Reduction Team is has been working with Red Cross to establish a community-based first line responders in Mathare, Kibra, Ruraka and even Mukuru, Kahawa West, Marurui, Saranga'ombe in Kibra, Mlango Kubwa in Mathare and we are also partnering with its volunteers among others," he said. If this plan to train community members will be realised, it will benefit people like Evans Chumbo, who during the Mukuru Kwa Njenga fire incident called upon the county to train them to be first responders. "I am calling upon the County to train and equip majority of us jobless youths in these informal settlements who can be first responders because the fire engines take long to come," said Chumbo.

Return of many city fires as more property razed amid County unpreparedness

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Return of many city fires as more property razed amid County unpreparedness

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