NAIROBI, Kenya — A massive fire broke out in Kangemi on Wednesday evening, destroying homes and property worth millions of shillings and leaving more than 300 residents affected.
The Kenya Red Cross confirmed that the blaze occurred along Marega Road in the Bata area on February 26. Emergency teams were dispatched to the scene as the inferno spread rapidly through the densely populated neighbourhood.
“Incident Update. A fire outbreak has been reported along Marega Road (Bata area) in Kangemi. Emergency response teams have been notified and are on their way to the scene,” the Kenya Red Cross said in a statement.
Photos and videos circulating online showed towering flames engulfing one residential building before spreading to adjacent structures. Preliminary reports indicate the fire may have been triggered by a gas explosion, although authorities have yet to confirm the exact cause.
Neighbours and bystanders watched from a distance as the flames intensified, with some making urgent calls to security agencies. The narrow access roads and close proximity of houses appeared to complicate firefighting efforts.
Police officers and emergency responders were deployed to assist with evacuation and to contain the fire before it could spread further. As of press time, there were no confirmed reports of fatalities or injuries.
Security agencies have launched investigations to establish the cause of the inferno. Under Kenya’s disaster management framework and public safety regulations, authorities are required to conduct prompt assessments to determine liability and recommend safety measures.
The Kangemi incident adds to a troubling rise in fire outbreaks across Nairobi since the beginning of the year. In January, a commercial building along Luthuli Street caught fire, destroying property worth millions. The building, located at the intersection of Munyu Road and Luthuli Avenue near a former Kenya Mpya bus stop, suffered extensive damage. No injuries were reported.
Earlier that same week, another business premises along Luthuli Street was razed in a separate incident. Security agencies later attributed the January 6 fire to an electrical fault during routine repair works.
Urban planners and safety experts have previously warned that overcrowding, illegal power connections, and limited access routes in informal and high-density settlements heighten the risk of rapid fire spread.
Residents in Kangemi are now counting their losses as authorities continue investigations and humanitarian agencies assess immediate relief needs.
