A heartbreaking fire in Kahuho village, Kabete, claimed the lives of three children on Monday afternoon, leaving a family in mourning.
The victims, aged 14, 5, and 2, tragically lost their lives when flames engulfed their home.
Kabete police commander Anthony Mbogo confirmed the incident, revealing that the fire quickly spread, consuming two residential houses. The situation worsened due to delays in the arrival of the Kiambu County Fire Brigade.
Preliminary investigations suggest a gas cylinder explosion sparked the blaze. Boniface Mwangi, the grieving father, recounted the desperate efforts of neighbors who tried in vain to save his children.
"It was a gas explosion. I fought to rescue them, but I couldn’t," Mwangi said, his voice heavy with sorrow. "Well-wishers did all they could, but the fire was too intense."
Did you read this?
He also criticized the county’s emergency response: "The fire engine response time is unacceptable. They arrive when everything is already lost."
Local MCA Kamau Thumbi echoed Mwangi’s frustrations, describing the difficulty of getting help. "I contacted three different fire departments," Thumbi explained. "The Kikuyu unit was out of service, Kiambaa’s was occupied, and the Kiambu fire engine arrived too late."
Thumbi urged the county government to fulfill its long-standing promise to provide a fire engine for the area. "Fire incidents are too frequent here, and urgent action is needed," he emphasized.
