Kitengela: Market vendors in Kitengela are counting losses after an early morning fire destroyed their property.
According to Kenya News Agency, Racheal Peshut, the chairperson of the market, reported that the fire started at 2 am and was put out at 5 am, after it had already razed down property worth millions of shillings. Peshut criticized the Kitengela Police and Kitengela Municipality for their lack of assistance in extinguishing the blaze, despite their proximity to the market.
“The police would have arrived here in three minutes as their station is a stone throw away from here, yet they did not come to help us. The Kitengela Municipality fire engine was also parked a few metres from here but it had no water nor fuel. This was a let down from both entities,” said Peshut.
She noted that although the cause of the fire has not been fully established, there is suspicion that it was instigated by individuals seeking allocation in the new Kitengela Market, which is yet to be inaugurated.
During a v
isit to the scene, area Member of County Assembly, Paul Matuyia, and Sub County administrator, Bruce Likama, assured that the County Government would compensate all those affected by the fire.
Joseph Masea, a market vendor, urged the County Government to enhance security in the market and to ensure that the fire engine is always equipped with water and fuel to prevent further losses in the future.