City Affairs

Fire ravages Kamukunji's Kitui Village leaving dozens homeless

By Abdirahman Khalif | Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Eyewitnesses reported that the blaze started around 11 am, and is believed to have been sparked by a cooking stove.

A devastating fire swept through Kitui village in Majengo, Pumwani location on Wednesday leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Luckily, no injuries were reported in the inferno.

Eyewitnesses reported that the blaze started around 11 am, and is believed to have been sparked by a cooking stove.

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The inferno swiftly razed several houses, shattering the lives of over 50 residents.

Anguish rippled through the community as the fire ravaged 25 rooms, reducing them to ashes.

Kilonzo Nzuki, the Chairman of Kitui Village, lamented the narrow passageways between the houses that hindered firefighting efforts.

"Twent-five houses have been affected; the narrow corridors made it difficult to put it off," said Kilonzo.

A fire engine after a fire swept through Kitui village in Majengo, Pumwani location on April 3, 2024. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)

The residents decried the response of the Nairobi County firefighter engines who felt the response was too late.

This delay, they claim, made the damage bigger, leaving many families with nothing salvageable from their homes.

Fire razes sections of Kitui village in Majengo, Pumwani location, cause still unknown. pic.twitter.com/35DFBUSXYL
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) April 3, 2024

With their homes now reduced to ashes, the displaced families now face the grim reality of homelessness.

Lost possessions

The tragedy has left them without shelter and essential belongings, including food, as most of their possessions were consumed by the flames.

The scene after a fire swept through Kitui village in Majengo, Pumwani location on April 3, 2024. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)

In the aftermath of the blaze, accusations arose as some residents accused the rescuers of not only arriving late but also of stealing from their homes.

Busco Mutiso recounted the heartache of losing valuable items, including his cooking gas, clothes, and bedding, allegedly taken by those meant to rescue him.

"They have stolen everything when they came to rescue; my cooking gas and clothes are all gone," lamented Mutiso.

The scene after a fire swept through Kitui village in Majengo, Pumwani location on April 3, 2024. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)

The incident comes barely a week after the same village that bore the brunt of floods from the recent rains.

Residents of Kitui Village were this week asked to move to higher ground following the weatherman's warning of heavy rains and floods.

The Kenya Meteorological Department issued the warning on Monday, saying its forecast for April 2 to 8 showed heavy downpours and flooding were expected this week.

In response to the warning, Majengo Assistant Chief Joshua Mburu organised a grassroots initiative, going door to door in Kitui Village to inform residents of the risks and urge them to move to higher ground.

Many of the residents sought refuge in nearby churches, schools, and open fields, but within a week, the majority had returned to their homes, facing the daunting task of rebuilding.