Child killed as fire destroys houses in Mukuru Kwa Reuben

By Peter Ochieng

Tens of residents of Mukuru Kwa Reuben slums in Nairobi, may be forced to spend the night in the cold, after fire razed down their houses.

A four-year-old child was killed in the incident. The fire reportedly destroyed up to 50 houses.

The incident at the Gototo area was confirmed by Mukuru Kwa Reuben area chief, Justus Kiema.

The inferno, the National Government Administration Officer (NGAO) said, was caused by an illegal power connection, followed by a gas-cylinder explosion.

Collective efforts by area residents to put off the fire proved futile. “We need firefighters to help contain this fire, we have not been able to contain it. Houses are burning down one by one,” said an eyewitness.

“We don’t have any water, water was cut totally and houses are continuing to go down in flames,” the eyewitness added.

The Nairobi City County government said gas cylinders located in some of the houses exploded after the fire had already begun.

The gas explosion only intensified flames leading to destruction of houses and property of unknown value.

Today’s incident is the third in a matter of weeks in the densely populated slum, after two fire incidents were recently reported at Gateway and Egesa areas.

In February 2024, a huge gas blast killed at least three people and injured nearly 300. A lorry carrying gas cylinders exploded in Embakasi, igniting a huge ball of fire.

A child was among those who died, as confirmed by Embakasi police boss Wesley Kimeto.

Over 270 people were rushed to hospital. Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said a fireball from the blast spread widely.

"The inferno further damaged several vehicles and commercial properties, including many small and medium sized businesses. Sadly, residential houses in the neighbourhood also caught fire,” he said.

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) said that the gas plant was illegal and that it had rejected three applications for construction permits.