Eight people have been confirmed dead following a Saturday morning inferno that razed down Silanga slums in Nairobi’s Kibera area.
Kilimani OCPD Michael Muchiri said the 2am fire incident left several people homeless and nothing was salvaged from about 50 houses that were gutted.
The police boss said the fire is suspected to have started in one of the houses after a cooking stove exploded. Muchiri said some bodies including that of a woman and a child were burnt beyond recognition.
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko visited the affected families and promised to help them rebuild. He also warned landlords who have built houses along road reserves to remove them before they are flattened by the county.
“I am giving the landlords here in Kibera twenty-one days. If you know you have blocked access paths for the residents, please start making way so that people may pass,” he stated adding that the structures prevented fire engines from accessing the fire area.
“We will bring supplies and I want to emphasise that this is going to reach all those affected by this fire. We will remain here until we are sure of exactly how many people have been affected,” he stated.
