DISASTROUS FIRE EVENTS IN KENYA OVER THE YEARS
Kenya has recorded numerous fire incidents resulting in the loss of many lives. According to data, there have been over 490 deaths and over 560 injuries from fire accidents.
Over the years, tragic events have occurred in Kenya, leading to numerous officials losing their jobs and many lives being lost. Recently, fire incidents in Kenya have been occurring at a high rate, along with daily reports of road accidents in various parts of the country.
Fire tragedies can occur accidentally or intentionally, and over the years, Kenya has recorded numerous fire incidents resulting in the loss of many lives. According to data, there have been over 490 deaths and over 560 injuries from fire accidents.
In 1998, a fire broke out at Bombolulu Girls Secondary School in Kwale County due to an electricity fault, resulting in the loss of 26 lives. In 2001, Kenya witnessed another fire incident in Machakos, where Kyanguli Secondary School caught fire after an arson attack by two 16-year-old students, resulting in 67 deaths.
During the post-election violence in 2008, a fire incident was reported at Kiamba Church, claiming the lives of 30 people. In January 2009, Nakumatt Supermarket was engulfed in flames caused by a generator next to gas cylinders, resulting in 30 deaths. That same month, a fire tragedy was reported at Sachangwan in Molo when fuel siphoning led to an explosion, claiming the lives of 130 people.
In 2011, a fire broke out at Mukuru Sinai Industrial Area in Nairobi due to a generator next to gas cylinders, resulting in 100 deaths. That same year, in Nairobi’s Pipeline area, a fuel pipe burst due to cigarette smoking, resulting in 75 deaths.
In 2012, another school fire occurred at Asumbi Girls Boarding Primary School in Homa Bay County, resulting in 8 deaths due to a generator next to gas cylinders. Five years later, Moi Girls High School was set on fire due to an arson attack, resulting in 10 student deaths.
In January 2018, a fire broke out in Kijiji slums caused by an electricity fault, killing 5 people. Meanwhile, in 2019, on the Kisumu-Busia road, a tanker fire caused by fuel siphoning led to an explosion, claiming 13 lives. The latest fire incident, which occurred in February this year in Embakasi, was caused by a generator next to gas cylinders exploding, resulting in 3 deaths and several injuries.
Following the Embakasi fire, four NEEMA officials were sent home by President Ruto’s order, namely the Director of Environmental Compliance, Acting Deputy Director Compliance, Head of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) section, and Senior Environmental Officer EIA section. However, four weeks later, most of the victims are yet to receive any compensation, with many claiming that some individuals took advantage of them and ran away with their compensation money.
Another tragic incident unfolded on Sunday, March 3rd, in Mradi, Embakasi, as fire razed a children’s home to ashes, leaving numerous children without shelter. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino shared the devastating news, underscoring the dire plight of the vulnerable children.
Nairobi County Disaster Management Officer Bramwell Simiyu confirmed that 761 individuals were impacted by the explosion, shedding light on the ongoing challenges faced by Nairobi County firefighters, who respond to at least two fire incidents daily throughout the city.
Report by Jesse Abisheck
Email: abijessyshi@gmail.com
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