Families spend night in the cold as fire razes slum in Elburgon

Residents of Kasarani in Elburgon salvage what remained of their wooden houses on March 12, 2019. More than 50 families were left homeless after fire destroyed their houses. PHOTO | JOHN NJOROGE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Elburgon Assistant County Commissioner Naftaly Korir said that the fire started in one of the houses after a woman left a burning jiko unattended.  
  • Mr George Muiruri, another victim blamed Nakuru County government for taking too long to put out the fire. 

At least 50 families in Kasarani Estate in Elburgon town, Nakuru County, spent the night in the cold after fire razed their houses at on Tuesday evening.

The fierce inferno, which broke out at around 5pm, destroyed several wooden rental houses and a church.

According to Elburgon Assistant County Commissioner Naftaly Korir, the fire started in one of the houses after a woman left a burning jiko unattended.  

“Nothing was salvaged from the houses as many of the residents were out for their daily chores," said Mr Korir who added that no casualties were reported during the incident. The fire is said to have spread very fast due to strong winds.

FIVE SHEEP

Ms Phyllis Wangui, a resident, told the Nation, she lost everything during the inferno that took more than an hour to put off.

"I lost more than 100 bags of maize and five sheep. My children and I have nowhere to go," said Ms Wangui who was not in her house when the fire started.  

Mr George Muiruri, another victim blamed Nakuru County government for taking too long to put out the fire. 

"Fire incidents have become rampant in the area, we had to wait for more than 30 minutes for firefighters to arrive," said Mr Muiruri.

FIRE ENGINE

Elburgon town has no fire engine. The residents have threatened to stop paying taxes until the county government installs a fire engine in the area.

During the incident, the fire engine had to manoeuvre through the narrow Nakuru-Njoro-Elburgon road to access the area.

Area Ward Representative Njuguna Mwaura assured the victims that they would be assisted.

"I call upon the county government and other well-wishers to assist the victims, most of whom are squatters," said Mr Njuguna.