Tragedy struck the Bondeni-Makadara area of Machakos County as a fire razed multiple structures, leaving families homeless and causing extensive property damage.
Athi River South subcounty police commander Philis Muthoni confirmed the incident, stating that the fire broke out at approximately 3:30 a.m. Members of the public alerted the authorities, prompting a swift response from both the Kenya Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
“The cause of the fire is still unknown, but investigations are in top gear,” Muthoni said. Initial reports suggest the fire may have been sparked by a cooking jiko left unattended at a food kiosk, though this is yet to be confirmed.
Property Devastation and Displacement
The inferno completely destroyed an unspecified number of iron-sheet structures, displacing numerous families. Police are still assessing the extent of the damage and the number of individuals affected.
“The value of the property damaged and the number of affected residents are yet to be established,” Muthoni said, adding that no casualties were reported.
When reporters visited the scene, residents, many of them youth and children, were scavenging through the rubble, collecting metal scraps to sell while attempting to salvage what little was left of their belongings.
Heartbreaking Losses
Victims described devastating losses ranging from food, bedding, furniture, electronics, and clothing to essential personal documents, schoolbooks, and kitchenware. Families pleaded for help, urging the government, local leaders, well-wishers, and philanthropists to come to their aid.
Christopher Muasya, a local food kiosk operator, was among those severely affected. He revealed that he had lost over Ksh70,000 worth of property to the blaze. Tragically, this is not the first time his business has been destroyed by fire. In December 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, his kiosk at the same spot was also razed, causing losses amounting to Ksh100,000.
“I received a call from a friend at 3:50 a.m. informing me of the fire,” Muasya said. “Unfortunately, I live far from the area and only arrived around 6 a.m. By then, most of my items had been destroyed or stolen. I have been operating this kiosk for five years, and it is my family’s only source of livelihood.”
Urgent Appeal for Assistance
The affected residents are now looking to the government and charitable organizations for immediate support. Basic necessities such as food, clothing, and temporary shelter are urgently needed to help the displaced families begin rebuilding their lives.
For Muasya and many others, the fire is a crushing blow to their small businesses and livelihoods. “We need help to restore our businesses and our lives,” Muasya pleaded.
The Way Forward
As detectives continue their investigations into the cause of the fire, the tragedy highlights the vulnerability of informal settlements to such disasters. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the need for improved safety measures, fire prevention strategies, and community support systems.
In the meantime, residents of Bondeni-Makadara are left to pick up the pieces, facing the daunting task of rebuilding their homes and businesses from scratch. As they wait for assistance, their resilience and determination are on full display, even in the face of such immense loss.
