Governor to sack irresponsible firefighters

What you need to know:

  • David Wachiuri, a resident, said victims sought help from the fire department only for the officers to arrive with a vehicle with inadequate water.
  • Fire destroyed 40 houses in Kiambuthi estate in Embu town and the tenants accused the officers of a slow response and arriving while drunk.

Embu Governor Martin Wambora has vowed to take disciplinary action against firefighters accused of irresponsibility.

Recently, fire destroyed 40 houses in Kiambuthi estate in Embu town and the tenants accused the officers of a slow response and arriving while drunk.

Governor Wambora said the claims will be investigated and those found culpable of unprofessionalism sacked.

"We will investigate the claims and if it is true that some firemen were drunk they will be sacked. We have patriotic young men ready to work for the county," he said.

David Wachiuri, a resident, said victims sought help from the fire department only for the officers to arrive with a vehicle with inadequate water.

"When the fire started, we tried calling the county hotline, but no one was answering it.

"That is when we started calling individual firefighters.

"Through the intervention of county officials, we managed to contact a driver who was off duty and after a short while a fire engine arrived, but it had no water and had to drive back to county headquarters.

"By the time the fire engine came back, the fire had spread and consumed our property," he said.

Mr Wachiuri said some of the agencies that assisted them were the Kenya Red Cross and St John Ambulance.

The governor donated Sh200,000 to the victims and promised to offer bursaries to the affected students.