Residents of Jua Kali Green Corner in Embakasi, Nairobi County, are counting losses after a midnight fire razed down 24 homes.
According to a report filed by the Kenya Rèď Cróss on Saturday, September 14, 2024, the fire broke out at around 1 am in the area before spreading out.
However, Rèď Cróss and the Nairobi City County Fire Brigade responded on time and managed to put out the fire.
Following the incident, no casualties were recorded, but 24 homes were reduced to ashes in the inferno.
“Around 1 AM, a fire broke out at Jua Kali Green Corner in Embakasi. Kenya Rèď Cróss and Nairobi City County Fire Brigade responded swiftly, extinguishing the fire with no casualties,” Kenya Rèď Cróss statement read in part.
“Unfortunately, 24 homes were destroyed,” it added.
Earlier, Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino had raised an alarm over the fire incident, asking the county to act swiftly to prevent losses.
“Fire incident at Juakali Embakasi East. Sadness in Embakasi. Nairobi County Fire Brigade should move with speed and put out the fire,” Babu Owino stated.
Past incident
On February 20, 2024, a gas incident occurred in Embakasi’s Mradi area. Police said that a lorry loaded with gas at a suspected unauthorised station exploded, igniting the huge fire that spread to other buildings.
Over 60 individuals were injured following the incident, and others succumbed to burn injuries.
Following the incident, President William Ruto ordered immediate investigations, which led to several arrests and the closure of the facility.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja also placed an embargo on gas plant operations within residential areas.
Speaking in the Embakasi area as he visited affected families of the Embakasi gas incident, Sakaja said all 17 sub-county officials have been given authority to close unathorised businesses in the county.
“I have told sub-county administrators in all of Nairobi County that if there are illegal activities going on in your area that have not been reported, you shall answer as well,” Sakaja announced.
The city governor also vowed that the owner of the gas plant that caused the Embakasi incident would be charged in accordance with the law.
