Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has expressed deep sorrow following a tragic fire incident in Huruma Ward, Mathare, that claimed the lives of eight people.
In a statement on Monday, October 6, Sonko conveyed his condolences to the affected families, painting the incident as a reminder of the need for better fire preparedness in the city.
"I am deeply saddened and heartbroken to learn of the tragic fire incident that occurred in Mathare, Huruma Ward, which has claimed the lives of eight innocent people.
"I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends affected by this tragedy. May God grant strength and comfort to the bereaved, and may the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace," he said.
Sonko noted that the tragedy has left the community in mourning, especially following reports of a mother who died while embracing her twin sons.
Read More
"Among the most devastating losses is that of a loving mother who perished while holding her twin sons in a final embrace, a moment that speaks volumes of a mother’s love even in her last breath,” he added.
In response to the incident, Sonko announced that he had dispatched his Sonko Rescue Team to work hand in hand with community leaders and the affected families to offer immediate assistance.
The team, he said, will cater for funeral arrangements and other logistical needs to ensure the victims are laid to rest with dignity.
"As a show of solidarity and support, I have dispatched the Sonko Rescue Team to work closely with the families and community leaders to offer immediate assistance.
"As Sonko Rescue Team, we will cater for the purchase of all the eight coffins of the deceased and also provide transportation of all the bodies to various parts of the country for burial to ensure the departed are given a dignified and respectful send-off," he further said.
Sonko emphasized the urgent need for Nairobi City County to strengthen its fire response infrastructure to prevent similar tragedies.
He urged Governor Johnson Sakaja to consider his earlier proposals for establishing fire stations across all of Nairobi’s 17 sub-counties.
Sonko noted that during his administration, he had already initiated plans to build and operationalize several fire stations across the city.
"However, in order to prevent future loss of human life due to fire tragedies, I would like to strongly encourage the Governor of Nairobi to put into action my proposals for establishing a fire station in each of the 17 sub-counties in Nairobi.
"I had already ensured that the fire stations in Gigiri, Ruaraka, Kagundo Road in Eastlands, and Waithaka Fire Station to serve the people of Westlands and Dagoretti and their environs were established," he stated.
This comes two weeks after a fire broke out 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.
"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.
