Ruto pledges Sh500 million to curb fires in informal settlements
Ruto also announced that the government would donate land for the construction of a fire station in Kibera to improve emergency response times and better tackle fires in the area, addressing long-standing challenges of slow firefighter response that have often worsened the impact of such infernos.
President William Ruto has announced plans by the government to allocate Sh500 million in the next financial year to address illegal power connections in informal settlements, which have been identified as a major cause of fires in these areas.
Ruto announced the development in Kibera, Nairobi, on Sunday, when he visited the area to make donations to victims of an early Saturday morning fire that led to the death of eight individuals, the hospitalisation of at least seven others and the destruction of 71 iron-sheet houses.
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"I have requested Parliament's Budget and Appropriations Committee to set aside Sh500 million to correct illegal electricity connections that occasionally result in Nairobi," said Ruto at the AIC Kibera Church.
"We want to remove all illegal connections and establish proper electricity systems that do not result in unnecessary fires, which have continued to cause us losses."
Ruto also announced that the government would donate land for the construction of a fire station in Kibera to improve emergency response times and better tackle fires in the area, addressing long-standing challenges of slow firefighter response that have often worsened the impact of such infernos.
We will allocate KSh500 million in the next financial year to regularise illegal electricity connections in Nairobi’s informal settlements.
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) May 25, 2025
Our goal is to address poorly installed connections that have caused devastating fires: destroying homes, property, and, tragically,… pic.twitter.com/zTWWEoUGdf
President Ruto similarly pledged government support for victims of the inferno, including compensation, adding that affected individuals will be assisted to rebuild their lives.
Police have since launched investigations into the cause of the inferno, with Nairobi regional police commander George Seda suggesting that it may have stemmed from faulty power connections.
Kibera has experienced multiple fire tragedies in the past. In February, a fire in the Soweto Highrise area left over 200 families homeless, with preliminary reports suggesting arson as a possible cause. Later that month, another fire in the Lindi area destroyed 40 houses, resulting in multiple injuries to residents
In January, another fire broke out at Moi Girls High School in Kibera, prompting the evacuation of students, while an August 2024 fire at Toi Market claimed four lives.
Further, President Ruto expressed confidence in the Kenya Kwanza administration's development agenda, urging Kenyans to ignore critics who downplay the progress being made.
"Let us not waste time on people who have no plan, no agenda, and no vision. Our economy, education, and health systems are transforming. I am confident in Kenya's future, no one should tell you otherwise," he said.
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