Slum dwellers want fire issue addressed

Agnes kagure foundation officials distribute essential items to victims of the Mathare fire

NAIROBI, KENYA: A huge fire broke out at around 7:30 pm in Mathare, 3B village, Mlango Kubwa ward on Saturday. The fire razed down more than 300 houses leaving hundreds of families homeless and without necessary supplies.

The damage caused was going into the tens of millions with women and children being the most affected by the disaster. Slum areas are prone to such fires and the scarcity of water and difficulty in access in slum areas causes the massive spreading of the fire leading to loss of property and even loss of lives. Saturday’s fire had multiple injuries and 1 casualty. 

Area leadership contacted Philanthropist Agnes Kagure Kariuki who was quick to respond through her foundation Agnes Kagure Foundation. The foundation which has an ongoing Table banking and Mushroom farming project with women in Mathare has representatives who coordinated the victims and distributed blankets, Diapers, cooking oil, water, food and Sugar.

The victims appreciated the efforts of Ms Agnes Kagure who started life in the Nairobi Slum and has a special connection with women in the region. Agnes Kagure foundation whose primary focus is youth and women empowerment has been involved in projects in Low income settlements across the country.

The community leaders stressed that issue of Slum fires should be addressed by the county leadership with many suggesting fire stations should be located near high population slums in Nairobi which are the repeat victims every year. Supply of clean water and proper sewage was also an issue raised by the victims.