A tragic fire outbreak in Daraja Mbili, Kitutu Chache South Constituency, Kisii County, has claimed the life of one resident and left several others hospitalized with injuries. The early morning blaze erupted in a multi-storey residential building on September 8, 2025, throwing tenants into panic as thick smoke quickly engulfed the premises.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as families scrambled to escape the inferno. Some residents were forced to break windows to reach safety, while others suffered burns and smoke inhalation during the desperate bid to flee.
The injured were rushed to Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital (KTRH), where doctors confirmed they are in stable condition despite sustaining varying degrees of burns and respiratory complications.
One of the survivors, Jane Moraa, recounted the ordeal, saying she woke up to screams before realizing the corridors were filled with choking smoke. She escaped through a broken window and described the experience as “terrifying.”
Authorities confirmed that one life was lost in the fire. The deceased’s body has since been moved to the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary pending a postmortem.
Officials have launched investigations to establish the cause of the fire, with early concerns pointing to poor compliance with safety regulations in residential buildings across Kisii town. The County Disaster Management Unit has reminded landlords to adhere to safety standards such as installing fire extinguishers and providing accessible emergency exits to reduce risks in the event of similar incidents.
Residents have also voiced frustration over slow firefighting response, attributing delays to congested access roads that hinder emergency vehicles. Calls for improved firefighting infrastructure and stricter building inspections have grown louder in the wake of the tragedy.
The fire comes amid rising concerns over frequent fire outbreaks in Kisii town, with leaders previously warning about lax enforcement of building safety standards. As investigations continue, authorities have urged calm and vigilance among residents while promising decisive action to prevent future disasters.
