At least 70 households have been affected by a night fire that ravaged sections of the Mukuru Kwa Njenga settlements in Nairobi.

The fire is believed to have started in the Vietnam village and spread to affect 70 households and at least 10 businesses in the area.

According to the Kenya Red Cross, the inferno was contained after a team from the Nairobi County Fire Brigade responded to distress calls from the area.

Red Cross also revealed that one person was admitted to a hospital after sustaining burns from the fire incident while others were treated at the scene and cleared.

“Four minor casualties were treated on-site, while one critical case was evacuated to hospital. Approximately 70 households and 10 businesses are reportedly affected,” Red Cross said.

“The fire has been contained thanks to the Nairobi City County Fire Brigade and community members.”

Previous fires

The night inferno comes just a week after a fire broke out on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at the Wapewape area of the Mukuru Kwa Njenga slum.

“Happening now at Mukuru Kwa Njenga Wapewape zone. The fire brigade and community volunteers are on site to put off the fire,” the Mukuru Community Justice Centre said in a statement.

The centre which takes care of fire and tragedy victims also noted the need to station a fire brigade in the area, stating that several lives have been lost due to poor roads and delays by the Nairobi County Fire Brigade.

“We have lost lives and properties here because firefighters are unable to access the slum in record time. We blame bad roads, congestion and lack of preparedness by the county disaster team,” Anami Daudi of the Mukuru Justice Centre observed on December 13, 2024.

“At this rate, the only way to end constant fire incidences in slum settlements within the city is to erect small fire stations that are fully equipped. For instance, here in Mukuru Kwa Njenga, we are asking for the construction of a fire station behind Villa Police Station.”

The community leaders indicated that they have reported more than 20 incidents of fire breakouts in 2024 alone in the Mukuru kwa Njenga slums where property, businesses and lives have been lost.

On September 17, 2024, three siblings died at the Mukuru kwa Njenga slum in a fire that razed down more than 100 houses.