NAIROBI, Kenya – At least eight people have died following a fire that tore through the Kichinjio area of Makina in Kibra Sub-county, Nairobi, early Saturday morning.
The blaze broke out around 5am, engulfing several homes in the densely populated informal settlement before it was brought under control. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
Kibra Sub-county Police Commander Patricia Yegon confirmed the fatalities, adding that the identities of the victims are yet to be established.
“The affected structures were completely razed. The bodies have been moved to the City Mortuary for identification and post-mortem examinations,” she said.
Authorities have launched investigations to determine the cause of the fire, as questions emerge over safety measures and emergency response in informal settlements where such incidents are tragically common.
Kibra, one of Nairobi’s largest informal settlements, has witnessed repeated fire disasters in recent years, often linked to faulty electrical connections, open flames in cramped living spaces, and the lack of accessible firefighting infrastructure.
