MLOLONGO, Machakos County, Nov 8 ,A retired Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldier has died after a fierce fire swept through a residential plot in Kasina area, Mlolongo Township, destroying homes and a local church.
The deceased, identified as Fredrick Kivuva Itambo, 70, was burnt beyond recognition when flames engulfed his mabati house around 5:30 p.m. on Friday. According to witnesses, the fire spread rapidly across the seven-roomed plot, trapping Kivuva inside his house.
Confirming the incident, Athi River East Sub-County Police Commander Anderson Mbae said officers received a distress call from Mlolongo Zone E village elder, Joseph Muinde, who heard screams and saw thick smoke billowing from the houses.
“Police officers led by Mlolongo OCS Mugambi rushed to the scene and established that the fire had started in one of the rooms,” Mbae said, adding that residents, police, and firefighters from Mavoko Municipality worked together to extinguish the blaze.
Unfortunately, despite their swift response, Kivuva could not be saved. “The fire was promptly put out, but sadly, the 70-year-old man was burnt beyond recognition,” Mbae confirmed.
The fire also destroyed Kanisa Halisi la Mungu Baba, leaving the church’s congregation without a place of worship. Pastor Cyrus Muthuri, who leads the church, said he was away buying supper when the tragedy struck. “I came back to find neighbours struggling to rescue some church items. Everything, including our keyboard and sound system, was lost,” he lamented.
The Kenya Red Cross reported that five families—three men, two women, and five children—were rendered homeless after the fire consumed their belongings, including bedding, clothes, and school materials.
The deceased’s brother, Francis Muthama, said Kivuva had been manning the family plot and was likely asleep when the fire began. His body was taken to City Mortuary in Nairobi for a post-mortem examination.
Police are investigating the cause of the fire and the value of the property destroyed.
