Another wave of misfortune has hit Nairobi’s Kibra Sub County, where a devastating fire razed through the Kichinjio area on Wednesday night, leaving over 200 families without shelter. The blaze, which erupted under unclear circumstances, gutted dozens of homes and small businesses, forcing residents to spend the night in the cold.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire spread rapidly through the densely populated informal settlement, fueled by timber structures and flammable materials. Residents tried in vain to fight the flames using buckets and makeshift tools. Their efforts were tragically hampered by narrow access roads that blocked fire engines from reaching the heart of the blaze.
“The fire trucks couldn’t get in. We were left on our own,” said Jane Atieno, one of the victims who lost both her home and food kiosk in the blaze. “We need help. We have children, we have nowhere to go.”
This incident comes just weeks after another tragedy in Kibra, where eight people lost their lives in a separate incident, further intensifying scrutiny of disaster preparedness and emergency infrastructure in the area.
Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported in the latest fire, but the economic and emotional toll is immense. Families now face the grim reality of rebuilding their lives from scratch. Most of the affected households have taken shelter under makeshift tents or the open sky.
Residents are calling on the Nairobi County Government and the Kenya Red Cross Society to intervene with emergency supplies, food, blankets, and temporary shelter. Community leaders are also urging authorities to prioritize proper urban planning and accessible road infrastructure to prevent similar disasters in the future.
As the ashes settle in Kichinjio, the community waits, hoping not just for relief, but for lasting solutions.
