A devastating fire in the Kitui Village area, located in Pumwani, Nairobi, on the night of November 19, has claimed the lives of at least six people and left ten others, mostly men, injured. The inferno, which tore through the sprawling settlement, destroyed over 50 houses, displacing many families.
The fire broke out in the densely populated Kitui Village, an area known for its close-knit community and narrow alleyways, which made it challenging for emergency responders to reach the site quickly. Police have yet to confirm the exact cause of the blaze, but investigations are ongoing. Nairobi Police Chief Adamson Bungei described the incident as a tragic event, stating that “those are many people to die in such an incident,” while assuring the public that the authorities are working to uncover the cause.
The fire raged for several hours before being contained by a joint effort of the Nairobi City County Fire Department and community members. Emergency teams, including the Kenya Red Cross, have been working tirelessly to locate missing persons, and at least 16 individuals were treated for minor injuries. However, the search for additional victims continued well into the night.
In addition to the loss of life and injuries, the fire also left a trail of destruction in its wake, with over 50 homes reduced to rubble. Many residents are now homeless, taking refuge in nearby schools and seeking urgent assistance for food, shelter, and medical care. “Emergency teams are on the scene, searching the affected area for additional victims,” said Kamukunji Member of Parliament Yusuf Hassan, who mourned the loss of life and expressed his condolences to the residents of Kitui Village. Hassan called the incident “one of the deadliest fires in Kamukunji,” highlighting the severity of the disaster in a region already grappling with numerous fire-related tragedies.
The fire in Kitui Village is not an isolated incident. Authorities revealed that Nairobi’s informal settlements are frequently affected by fires, with some areas reporting incidents on a near-daily basis. The poor infrastructure in many of these neighborhoods, particularly the lack of roads and access points, has been cited as a significant challenge in responding to such emergencies. Firefighting services are often stretched thin, and the dense, overcrowded conditions in slums make fire prevention and response efforts particularly difficult.
Nairobi County Government officials have pledged to support the affected families, with plans to assess the damage and provide assistance in rebuilding homes. Local schools and community centers have become temporary shelters for those who lost their homes, while public appeals for donations have begun to help meet the immediate needs of the survivors. The Kenya Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations are also on the ground, offering support to the injured and assisting in the search for missing persons.
This fire tragedy follows a similar incident that occurred in Mathare on the night of November 18, where several houses were also destroyed, and many residents were left without homes. These incidents have highlighted the urgent need for improved fire safety measures and infrastructure in Nairobi’s informal settlements, where fires have become an all-too-common occurrence.
As authorities continue their investigations, the residents of Kitui Village are calling for swift action to prevent future disasters. While emergency services work to provide relief, the broader issue of fire preparedness and response in the city’s slums remains a pressing concern. The loss of life and property in Kitui Village underscores the need for increased investment in fire safety measures, better access to emergency services, and improved living conditions in Nairobi’s informal settlements.
As the community begins the long process of recovery, the support of the local government and well-wishers will be crucial in helping the affected families rebuild their lives and homes
