KITENGELA, Kenya – A massive fire gutted a commercial structure in Kitengela on Friday evening, leaving traders reeling from losses as authorities work to determine the full extent of the damage.
Isinya Subcounty Police Commander Simon Lokitari confirmed the incident, saying the fire broke out around 7:00 p.m. and engulfed a storey building made from a converted container, with mabati (iron sheet) structures constructed above it.
The razed building, located along the Nairobi–Namanga Road in Kitengela Township, Kajiado County, housed several businesses.
Some shops inside the container sustained partial damage, while all the makeshift structures above were completely destroyed.
Police officers responded swiftly to the distress call and found the Kajiado County fire brigade already at the scene.
Together with support from members of the public, the blaze was eventually contained.
Authorities say the value of the destroyed property is yet to be established, but preliminary assessments indicate that several small businesses were significantly affected.
Lokitari noted that investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
