Government pledges support to Mukuru Kwa Njenga fire victims

CS for Public Service, Geoffrey Ruku, with residents of Mukuru Kwa Njenga during a visit to the scene of a devastating fire on June 4, 2025. [Bernard Orwongo, Standard]

Over 100 families of Mukuru Kwa Njenga who were displaced by a devastating fire on Wednesday have been assured of government support to help them rebuild their lives.

The fire, which broke out on Wednesday afternoon, swept through the informal settlement, destroying homes and leaving families with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. Many residents also lost essential personal documents in the blaze.

More than 100 families left homeless after fire guts down their structures Mukuru Kwa Njenga.
The fire is said to have been caused by a leaking gas cylinder from one of the houses. pic.twitter.com/on6AaXvVgT - The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) June 4, 2025

The Kenya Red Cross reported that approximately 70 households were affected, with 10 businesses destroyed, disrupting livelihoods for many residents.

During an early morning visit to the affected area, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, Geoffrey Ruku, expressed solidarity with the victims and pledged swift assistance from the government.

CS for Public Service, Geoffrey Ruku, with residents of Mukuru Kwa Njenga during a visit to the scene of a devastating fire on June 4, 2025. [Bernard Orwongo, Standard]

"We are here not just to console you, but to walk with you through the recovery process," said CS Ruku. "No Kenyan should be left behind in times of disaster."

Ruku announced that the ministry will fast-track the replacement of national IDs, birth certificates, and other critical documents to help victims access government services.

The government, through the State Department for Special Programmes, is in the process of distributing relief items, including food, bedding, and temporary shelter materials, to affected families.

Additionally, the government is working closely with humanitarian partners to assess the full extent of the damage and ensure all displaced families receive the necessary assistance.

A man salvages belongings from the charred remains after a fire swept through Mukuru Kwa Njenga on June 4, 2025. [Bernard Orwongo, Standard]

Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, with some residents attributing it to a dispute over land on which the structures stood.

Meanwhile, residents have called for improved infrastructure and more robust fire response systems to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

At least five people, including two children, lost their lives last month when a devastating fire swept through the Mathare B section of Nairobi's Mathare slums.

According to police, four others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Scattered ruins and ash mark what's left of homes in Mukuru Kwa Njenga. June 4, 2025. [Bernard Orwongo, Standard]

The blaze, which broke out around 2:00 am, also left dozens of residents homeless as it tore through the tightly packed informal settlement.

Ruku also visited the area where he said families who lost homes and property will receive building materials to aid in reconstruction, and two churches that were destroyed in the blaze will also be rebuilt with government assistance.

"It is the government's duty to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens. That is why the President and his Deputy have sent me here, not only to offer condolences but to deliver tangible support," CS Ruku said.