Several families have been left devastated after a fierce fire destroyed more than 20 houses in Kiawara Slums, located in the Majengo area of Nyeri County, on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 8, 2025.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire broke out suddenly and quickly spread through the densely populated slum area, reducing homes and personal belongings to ashes. The affected families lost everything, including household items, clothing, and other valuables, in the tragic incident.
In a video seen by Newshub.co.ke, desperate residents were captured trying to battle the flames using buckets filled with water. Thick, dark smoke could be seen billowing from the iron sheet-roofed structures as people ran around attempting to rescue whatever they could.
Reports indicate that firefighters from the Nyeri County Fire Brigade arrived at the scene nearly one hour after the blaze had started.
By that time, the fire had already destroyed most of the houses. So far, the exact cause of the fire has not been established, and authorities have yet to confirm whether there were any casualties or injuries.
Many residents expressed deep frustration over the delayed response from the fire department. One of the victims who lost his home said, “We called the fire brigade immediately, but they arrived after almost an hour. By then, everything was already gone. Their response was too slow, and they didn’t help much.”
He added that the firefighters only brought one fire truck, which was insufficient to contain the fast-spreading flames. “We feel let down by the county government. This is not how emergencies should be handled. We need better equipment and faster response in such situations,” he emphasized.
Several locals echoed the same sentiments, blaming the county for failing to act promptly during emergencies. They pointed out that this was not an isolated incident and that Nyeri County has a history of slow and ineffective responses to fire outbreaks.
“This is not the first time people are suffering because of their poor response. Many homes have been destroyed in the past, and nothing has been done to improve the system. We are tired of empty promises. We want real action and accountability,” another resident stated.
The latest fire has once again brought back painful memories of a tragic incident that happened less than a year ago. On September 24, 2024, a deadly fire broke out at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County.
That horrific night claimed the lives of 17 students, who were burned beyond recognition after a dormitory went up in flames.
According to the National Police Service, the students were inside the dormitory when the fire started. Several others sustained serious injuries, and the entire school community was left in mourning.
These repeated fire tragedies have raised serious concerns about fire safety preparedness and emergency response mechanisms in Nyeri County.
Many residents are now calling for urgent reforms and investments in firefighting infrastructure, including more fire engines, well-equipped teams, and faster emergency response services to prevent future loss of life and property.
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