A fire broke out on Monday, September 22, at Kanuku informal settlement in California, Kamukunji Constituency, destroying several houses and leaving dozens of families homeless.
Footage shared online showed residents desperately trying to salvage belongings as the flames tore through the congested neighborhood.
Nairobi County fire engines struggled to access the scene due to the lack of proper roads within the settlement, delaying response efforts.
Fire Destroys Several Homes in Kanuku Informal Settlement, Families Displaced in Kamukunji. Photo: Courtesy.
Sadly, the inferno claimed the life of 11-year-old David Munene, while another victim was injured.
Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan confirmed the fatality, terming the incident a heartbreaking tragedy for the community.
The lawmaker further noted that the frequent fires in informal settlements demand urgent government intervention.
This comes days after over fifty families were rendered homeless after a fire razed an apartment building in the Njoguini, Athi River.
According to reports, the fire resulted in the loss of property of unknown value.
The blaze was reportedly caused by a gas cylinder burst, with the flames quickly spreading from the initial house to neighboring structures.
The Machakos County fire team and police responded swiftly to contain the fire.
However, by the time emergency services arrived, most houses had already been severely affected.
