Three young siblings tragically lost their lives after a fire engulfed their home in Kahuho village, Kabete, Kiambu County. The fire, which broke out on the afternoon of Monday, March 3, is suspected to have been caused by a gas cylinder explosion, though investigations are still ongoing.
The victims, aged 14, five, and two, were inside their home when the inferno rapidly spread, reducing the house to ashes. The children’s father, identified as Mwangi, recounted his harrowing attempt to save them but was unable to do so.
“It was a gas cylinder explosion, and I tried to save my children, but I was unable to,” he said, visibly shaken.
Local residents also attempted to put out the fire but were unsuccessful. They expressed frustration over the delayed response of the fire brigade, which arrived only after the fire had already claimed the young lives and destroyed two residential houses.
Kabete police commander Anthony Mbogo confirmed the incident, stating that investigations are underway to establish the exact cause of the fire. He noted that this is the second such incident in the area to claim the lives of children in recent weeks.
“The loss of young lives in such tragic circumstances is devastating. We are committed to determining what happened and ensuring necessary measures are taken to prevent similar incidents,” said Mbogo.
In a separate incident in Ngecha, Limuru, a 93-year-old man perished in a house fire while alone at home. Authorities stated that his remains were discovered after the fire had been contained. The cause of the fire remains unknown as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, in another tragic event, a seven-year-old boy lost his life in Migwani, Kitui County, after falling from a mango tree. The child had climbed the tree to harvest fruits when he slipped and fell, sustaining severe head and back injuries. He was rushed to a local hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. His body was later transferred to a local mortuary for an autopsy.
These heartbreaking incidents highlight the need for increased fire safety awareness and child safety measures to prevent further tragedies in communities.
