A devastating fire swept through the informal settlements of Kibra, Nairobi, in the early hours of the morning, claiming the lives of at least eight people and leaving others seriously injured, authorities have confirmed.
Fire Breaks Out Before Dawn
The blaze reportedly began around 3:00 AM, catching many residents off guard while they were still asleep. The fire, rapidly spread through several structures in the informal settlement, engulfing homes and displacing dozens of residents.
By the time emergency responders arrived, several homes had already been reduced to ashes. Firefighters from the Nairobi City County managed to contain the flames several hours later, but not before the tragic loss of lives and widespread destruction.
Witnesses recounted harrowing scenes as residents scrambled to rescue loved ones and salvage belongings from the raging fire. “I heard screams and when I stepped outside, everything was up in flames. We did our best to help, but the fire moved too fast,” said one resident.
Authorities are yet to determine the exact cause of the fire, but preliminary reports suggest that a suspected electrical fault may have triggered the inferno. Investigations are currently underway.
Nairobi County officials, including local administrators and disaster management teams, visited the scene shortly after dawn.
The tragedy has reignited concerns over safety and infrastructure in informal settlements across Nairobi, where fires are an all-too-common hazard. Human rights organizations and community leaders are calling for urgent interventions to improve housing safety standards, install accessible firefighting infrastructure, and provide civic education on fire prevention.
