A fire breakout in Watamu has left tourists stranded in Watamu after it destroyed property worth millions.
According to witnesses, the fire started on Wednesday evening and spread quickly to other properties due to the makuti that is used during construction. the affected resorts include Barracuda Inn, Mapango restaurant, Mbuyu restaurant, Lily palm resort and Aquarius resort.
Operations to salvage properties are still underway as firefighters, police officers, and locals work to put out the fire and evacuate the victims. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.
With a population of over 20,000 people, Watamu is one of Kenya's most popular tourist destinations. It is located on a small bluff between the Blue Lagoon and Watamu Bay. Tourism and fishing are its main economic activities.
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This incident comes barely a day after another fire destroyed property worth over ksh 400000 in a village in mwea. According to an eyewitness, the fire began around 6 p.m. on Tuesday and quickly spread. The villagers had to work hard to put out the fire due to a lack of water due to the country's ongoing drought.
"Our rivers have dried up due to the prolonged dry spell and we had to helplessly look at the fire razing hay," Njeri said. Another witness said that the fire reduced their hay into ashes.
Kiandegwa police officers have started a probe to figure out the precise cause of the fire. The firefighter who arrived at the scene at 7:30 said they were late because they were battling another fire in the Ndia constituency at Kiangai.
Residents are requesting that the county government of Kirinyaga build fire stations in each ward to ensure that such an incident never occurs again.
