Residents of city slums urge Sakaja to station firefighters in their neighbourhoods

City residents living in informal settlements have urged Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to station fighting equipment in slums to help deal with abrupt fires that often destroy houses and other properties and sometimes injure or kill people.

The calls were made on Friday by Mukuru Community Social Justice Centre and Kibera's Toi Market traders.

Officials of the Mukuru Community Social Justice Centre led by Faith Lumwachi and Anami Toure Daudi spoke when they donated dozens of items to victims of this week's fire in Mukuru Kwa Njenga slum that left tens of people homeless.

"At this rate, the only way to end constant fire incidences in slum settlements within the city is to erect small fire stations that are fully equipped. For instance, here in Mukuru Kwa Njenga, we are asking for the construction of a fire station behind Villa Police Station," said Anami.

He explained that just in one year, there have been more than 20 cases of fire incidents in the slum in which lives and properties have been lost.

"We have lost lives and properties here because firefighters are unable to access the slum in record time. We blame bad roads, congestion and lack of preparedness by the county disaster team," said Anami.

Lumwachi said community-based organisations in slums are also not adequately prepared to receive, help or house victims of fire tragedies, therefore making it difficult to restore lives when such incidents occur.

100 fire incidents

Mukuru Community Social Justice Centre which works closely with Kenya Red Cross Society during tragedies in Mukuru slums has documented up to 100 fire incidents in slums where there has not been effective response from duty bearers.

"We have come to the aid of families that were left homeless following the recent inferno that left hundreds of residents in the cold. They were provided with assorted items of clothing, blankets and other items to enable them to start a new life," said Lumwachi.

The organisation appealed to other groups and well-wishers to assist the many families that still need assistance. Mukuru Kwa Njenga has experienced three such calamities in just one month.

The fire that destroyed houses in Mukuru Kwa Njenga on December 8, 2024, leaving several residents homeless. (Photo: Barack Oduor)

At Kibra's Toi Market, traders led by Okoth Ong'ayo have asked Sakaja to fulfil his pledge of stationing firefighters at the market to avert another possible inferno.

The traders, who have frequently suffered significant losses due to fires, also asked for the erection of a fence and providing security personnel to guard the market.

Ong'ayo told The Eastleigh Voice that the county firefighters arrived several hours late as the recent fire that destroyed their properties spread rapidly.

"The frequent fires at the market have left traders worried. The assistance provided by politicians has not had a significant impact because they are just handouts. We want firefighters stationed here to avert further incidents of loss to traders," said Ong'ayo.

In June 2023, traders awoke to find property worth millions of shillings destroyed by fire. In November 2021, another fire ravaged a section of the stalls, leaving traders counting heavy losses.

In 2019, two fires broke out in the market within four years following the 2014 fire that destroyed property of unknown value. The lack of access roads has also been blamed for the slow response of fire services.

In 2018, the market experienced three separate fire incidents, prompting former President Uhuru Kenyatta to call for investigations and for those responsible to be held accountable.

In June of that year, 15 people died and at least 60 were injured when a section of the market dealing in timber and clothes was burnt.

In the Toi Market's latest tragedy, Sakaja donated 5,000 iron sheets to help traders rebuild their damaged stalls.

The market is home to approximately 3,000 traders who sell second-hand clothes and food items such as vegetables and grains.

Surge in fire incidents

Currently, Nairobi County is grappling with a surge in fire incidents, having recorded more than 200 cases in one year.

These events have led to the tragic loss of more than 21 lives, including children, primarily in informal settlements.

According to Chief Officer for Disaster Bramwell Simiyu, investigations into these fires have revealed alarming causes.

Most of these fires, which have mostly occurred in different informal settlements around Nairobi, were caused by illegal electricity connections, unattended cooking appliances, and suspected acts of arson, often linked to domestic violence or business rivalry.

The areas most affected include Kibera, Mukuru Kwa Njenga, Mukuru Kwa Reuben, Mathare, Kawangware, and Kangemi.

Simiyu said there are ongoing efforts to raise fire safety awareness in informal settlements, schools, and other educational institutions, aiming to prevent further tragedies.