A fire broke out on Monday, September 22, at Kanuku informal settlements in California, Kamukunji Constituency, destroying several houses and leaving families displaced.
According to videos seen by Nairobileo.co.ke, flames spread rapidly through the densely populated area as residents rushed to save what they could.
Efforts by Nairobi County fire engines were hindered as the settlement lacks accessible roads for heavy vehicles, preventing the engines from reaching the scene in time.
Tragically, an 11-year-old boy identified as David Munene lost his life in the fire, while another person sustained injuries.
Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan confirmed the death, describing it as yet another devastating incident to hit the area.
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"In another terrible tragedy, one person has lost his life and another is in critical condition after a fierce fire swept through the Kanuku informal settlement in California ward, Kamukunji Sub-county, this afternoon.
"The victim is David Munene, an 11-year-old boy. My heartfelt condolences to his family, and my thoughts are with those who have been rendered homeless by the fire. David is the latest casualty in a series of fires to erupt in the last week alone," he said.
Hassan further noted that the frequent fires in informal settlements demand urgent government intervention.
"I will be raising this issue and the urgent need for the government to address the pervasive fires that have claimed lives and disrupted the lives of Kamukunji’s slum dwellers when we resume Parliament this week," he added.
This comes days after over fifty families were rendered homeless after a fire razed an apartment building in the Njoguini, Athi River.
According to reports, the fire, which started around 8 PM, resulted in the loss of property of unknown value.
The blaze was reportedly caused by a gas cylinder burst, with the flames quickly spreading from the initial house to neighboring structures.
The Machakos County fire team and police responded swiftly to contain the fire; however, by the time emergency services arrived, most houses had already been severely affected.
Athi River area police have confirmed that no casualties were reported, as residents were able to evacuate safely before the fire spread to other buildings.
Affected residents described the harrowing experience of fleeing their homes with minimal belongings as the fire rapidly consumed their properties.
"I saw the fire from afar and I ran back home. I grabbed my children and ran outside. I didn't get to save anything else," one resident stated.
Another resident expressed frustration with the response time and appealed for government assistance.
"The fire started around 8:00pm, and burnt down everything. I've lost everything. The county council did come, but it was too late. Now I'm asking for the government to help us because we don't have a place to sleep," the resident said.
