News
City Hall scandals cripple fire-fighting unit
Nairobi City Council cannot effectively deal with fire emergencies as only one out of its 18 fire engines is operational. The rest are grounded. . Photo/WILLIAM OERI
Posted Sunday, November 15 2009 at 22:30
There have been great losses from fires in Malindi, Mambrui and Watamu in the past. Watamu Beach Hotel, the popular Angels Bay in Mambrui, African Dream and several hotels and private villas in Casuarina area in Malindi are some of the destroyed property.
The Kenya Airports Authority-run fire brigade at Malindi Airport once in a while is called to help. But it should be understood that their main duty is to take care of aircraft fires and disasters within their jurisdiction, not to extinguish hotel fires. Getting them out of the airport is also a process as direct authority has to come from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.
Looking hazy
With the future looking hazy, the Malindi tourist hub has a long way to go before residents and investors can claim they are well-protected against fire disasters. Some 30 tourism establishments in South Coast are always in anxiety due to lack of fire-fighting equipment in case of fire outbreaks. Kenya Association of Hotelkepers and Caterers executive officer Gladwell Mumia bemoaned the lack of fire-fighting equipment in the area, which has some of the best hotels, restaurants and cottages.
Reports by Kibiwott Koross, Casper Waithaka, Mwakera Mwajefa, Mazera Ndurya and Daniel Nyassy
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Submitted by mrhopePosted November 16, 2009 12:33 PM
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Submitted by tamarind
Just curious...Should we check for fire truck availability,consider alternative firefighting methods or book in advance since there's only one truck.
Posted November 16, 2009 11:42 AM -
Submitted by petero254
Its so sickening that our fire departments are in such a sorry state both the firefighters and their tools of work yet nothing is being done to help the situation. What is the parliamentary committee that deals with menace of local governmnt doing or they are just sitted their fattening thier "Vitambis" and again look at what the local government minister(Mdavadi) is busy doing, debating whether he should travell with a Mercedes or a Passat. its my desire and hope too...
Posted November 16, 2009 04:51 AM -
Submitted by coldcase
Services like these can only work if privatised. In Africa, public services or property means corruption. Let private investors be paid to run these services.
Posted November 16, 2009 04:42 AM -
Submitted by wawerugithiri
Its a big shame that a city of over 3 million has no fire fighting mechanisms. Why cant the minister of local Govt. disband Nairobi city council and replace it with a commission whose tenure in office will be based on performance. This corruption thing is going too far!
Posted November 16, 2009 04:11 AM
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This is very interesting and i am very suprised that it has gathered the attention of the media quite late. If you fly down to Mombasa, at the airport what meets the eye are vehicles from firebrigade that have flat tyres, neglected, ofcourse disfunctional and very old. Who the hell is in charge of disaster management in Kenya.....this is a total failure and they should all be sacked and sent home. Shame on you.