Kajiado: Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku has constituted a five-member committee to develop guidelines and proposals for a long-term action plan to address fire emergencies in the county. The Governor expressed concern about rampant fires in the county’s urban centres and tasked the subcommittee with creating legislation to address these challenges.
According to Kenya News Agency, the subcommittee will be led by the county’s Deputy Governor, Martin Moshisho, and is expected to present their report after 30 days. The Governor directed the Departments of Emergency, Municipalities, Public Administration, Public Works, and Finance to implement a comprehensive framework for timely responses to fire disasters.
Cases of fire disasters have been frequent in the county, particularly in urban areas, causing significant losses to traders who often have to extinguish fires themselves without assistance from county fire engines. Notable incidents include a night fire in October 2022 that destroyed 120 beds in a dormitory at Ilbissil girls’ secondary school, along with 12 businesses and a private home in Ilbissil town.
In October last year, Ilbissil Market in Kajiado Central constituency was engulfed by a fire that destroyed property of unknown value, with residents reporting a lack of response from county fire services. In Ngong, fires in January and September last year resulted in property and business losses, exacerbated by mechanical issues with local fire engines.
In November last year, an early morning fire destroyed part of Kitengela market, resulting in losses amounting to millions. Traders reported that the nearby Kitengela Municipality fire engine was unable to respond due to lack of water and fuel.