Eldoret firefighters carry out an emergency evacuation drill ahead of conferment to City status
A firefighter faces a big task. He is equipped with heavy respiratory protection and wears protective equipment that protects him from the heat and flames.Photo Courtesy
By Calvin Chitwa
The County government of Uasin Gishu is putting in place necessary measures to ensure the preparedness of staff and other stakeholders in responding to any eventualities, even as Eldoret town prepares to be elevated to City status in 2023.
Uasin Gishu firefighters carried out an emergency evacuation drill at the KRA offices located at the Kiptagich building to mitigate any hazards that may happen as a result of technological, terrorism, natural disasters or fire.
According to Uasin Gishu Chief Fire Officer Sitati Wanyama, the drill was meant to ensure the preparedness of KRA employees and their clients on how to respond to emergencies and evacuate safely without major fatalities.
“We need all organizations especially those on storeyed buildings to embrace the initiative, educate people on how to evaluate the safety and let everyone be involved in the exercise. Such initiatives will help attract more investors in Eldoret as we prepare for city status,” noted Sitati.
North Rift Region KRA coordinator Barile Wario said once Eldoret gets City status that will spur economic activities within the region and help in the mobilization of revenue in the same measure to fund developmental projects.
Wario thanked the county team for the exercise saying that as Eldoret prepares for city status it’s important for the town to meet all requirements and drills are part of things that will contribute towards that.
“From our engagements, the County has already begun the journey of attaining city status and as KRA we are keen on actively participating in the process, more money will circulate in the economy when Eldoret town becomes a city. This drill has helped us measure our preparedness and how to address gaps we have identified,” Said Wario.
