5,000 victims of fire receive donations from State, NGOs and Catholic church

Turkana, Kenya: Residents of Kibish sub-county have received donations from well-wishers following a fire incident that razed down over 360 houses.

The donations that included food and non-food items trickled in from charitable organisations, the national and Turkana County government, and the Catholic Church.

Kibish Sub-County Deputy Commissioner Eric Wanyonyi said both government and non-governmental organisations had agreed to come together to help the over 5,000 people displaced as a result of the fire.

Mr Wanyonyi said a total of 450 bags of maize, 25 cartons of oil, 25 bags of beans and assorted items had been dispatched to the affected families.

“I would like to thank the national government, county government, Kenya Red Cross, World Vision, Oxfam and the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar for coming out to help these people who lost everything in the fire,” said the Government official.

He called on other charitable organisations and individuals to help in the construction of permanent or semi permanent houses for the affected people.

Kibish Ward MCA Jacob Nakua said the fire was a big blow to the people who are always living in fear of attacks from the Dong’iro of Ethiopia.

He urged the charitable organisations to help build a fence to protect their livestock as they are now living in fear of raids after the fence was torched down.

“I am pleading with other stakeholders to help in resettling the people and to build a fence around the village to prevent further raids by our neighbours who may attack now that we are vulnerable,” said Mr Nakua.

Kenya Red Cross Projects Manager Wilson Tabuke said measures should be put in place to prevent future disasters.

“We have been able to provide food and non-food items to 360 households. However, the people need to be resettled in permanent houses to prevent future spread of fires,” said Mr Tabuke.

The fire is suspected to have started after a domestic feud in one of the homes.