Fire in Mukuru Kwa Njenga slum kills three children, leaves scores homeless

A night fire in the Mukuru Kwa Njenga slum in Nairobi has killed three children and left several families homeless.

The Monday night incident in the densely populated informal settlement burnt down the iron sheet-walled houses, affecting up to 70 households.

Kingsley Odhiambo, a village elder, told The Eastleigh Voice that the fire could have been started by a stove before escalating to cause an explosion of several gas cylinders.

"We still suspect that the incident was caused by a cooking stove that was left unattended. This incident has caused a lot of pain to the residents because we have lost lives and properties," said Odhiambo.

The residents blamed the Nairobi City County government for failing to reach the scene to put out the fire that burnt until morning.

According to Jackline Muthoni, the residents could not salvage any of their belongings because they were caught unawares and were repelled further by the intensity of the fire.

"Some of us were caught unawares because we were sleeping. We only had to run and leave everything to burn," said Muthoni.

The angry residents also blamed poor roads and overcrowded structures with narrow paths for their inability to save their properties.

A school within the settlement was also burnt down, affecting more than 250 learners who had their classes and stationeries destroyed by the fire.

The residents said that there has been no help extended to them by either the county or national government and are now calling for assistance.

Kwa Njenga Ward MCA Kimondu Kiragu visited the scene and promised to mobilise help for the distraught residents.

Bodies of the three minors from the same family who died in the fire were taken to the City Mortuary.

By the time of going to press, police had not issued an official statement regarding the incident.