A tragic fire incident in Kibra Sub-county, Nairobi, has left at least eight people dead after a blaze tore through the densely populated Kichinjio area of Makina early Saturday morning.
According to Kibra Sub-county Police Commander Patricia Yegon, the fire broke out around 5:00am, catching many residents off guard as they slept. Several homes were engulfed by the flames before emergency services could respond. Despite the efforts of firefighters and local residents to contain the inferno, the rapid spread of the fire claimed eight lives and destroyed numerous structures.
Commander Yegon confirmed the fatalities, adding that the identities of the victims had not yet been established. The bodies have since been transferred to the City Mortuary for identification and post-mortem examinations.
“We are currently working to establish the identities of those who lost their lives and provide support to the affected families,” said Yegon. “Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire.”
The cause of the blaze remains unknown, but authorities have launched a full investigation. Preliminary reports suggest it could have originated from an electrical fault or an unattended stove, which are common hazards in informal settlements where homes are closely packed and infrastructure is often inadequate.
Local leaders and humanitarian organizations have begun mobilizing support for the displaced residents. Many survivors have been left homeless, losing all their possessions in the fire. Temporary shelters and basic supplies are being coordinated as part of the immediate response efforts.
The incident has reignited calls for better fire safety measures in informal settlements, which are particularly vulnerable due to poor planning, narrow access routes, and limited access to firefighting resources.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja is expected to visit the affected area to assess the damage and provide guidance on further assistance.
As the community mourns, there is a growing appeal to both the county and national governments to invest in long-term solutions that enhance fire safety, improve housing conditions, and safeguard lives in vulnerable urban areas like Kibra.
