More Than 20 Trainees Graduate as Firefighters in Eldoret
Among the graduates are Elizabeth Wairimu Esther and Michael Gatheru, who said the training has equipped them with the skills and confidence to handle emergencies.
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By Natalia Chepkemboi and Violet Akinyi
More than 20 trainees have graduated from the Morendat Institute of Oil and Gas in Eldoret after completing a short course in firefighting and emergency response.
For most people, fire is a reason to run. For the graduates, running toward the flames is now their job.
Dressed in protective gear, helmets and breathing apparatus, firefighters put their lives at risk to save people and protect property. The work demands courage, discipline and rigorous training.
Among the graduates are Elizabeth Wairimu Esther and Michael Gatheru, who said the training has equipped them with the skills and confidence to handle emergencies.
“We have learned how to respond to fires, rescue victims and use firefighting equipment properly. I am ready to serve,” Gatheru said.
Wairimu said many young people fear firefighting because of the risks, but proper training changes the mindset.
“At first I was scared, but now I know how to protect myself and save others. It is about courage and teamwork,” she said.
The graduation comes at a time when fire incidents continue to cause deaths and destruction of property across the country.
In recent months, fires have been reported in informal settlements, schools, markets and oil and gas facilities, raising concern about preparedness and emergency response.
Although county governments have continued to build new fire stations and equip fire departments, the sector still faces challenges including poor urban planning, congestion, lack of equipment and delayed response.
This has increased demand for trained personnel who can respond quickly and professionally during emergencies.
Dr. Nancy Koskei, director of the Morendat Institute of Oil and Gas, said the firefighting program was introduced to bridge the gap in skilled emergency responders.
“We have experienced a lot of fires in slum areas, schools and even in oil and gas facilities. We identified a gap in trained emergency responders, and that is why we have equipped these young people with firefighting and emergency response skills,” Koskei said.
She said the institute is working with county governments and private sector players to expand training in disaster management, occupational safety and oil and gas safety.
Koskei urged the graduates to uphold professionalism and discipline, noting that firefighting requires sacrifice and commitment to serve communities.
For the graduates, the ceremony marks not the end but the beginning of their responsibility to save lives, protect property and support communities during emergencies.
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