Fire destroys hay worth Ksh.5 M in Ngurubani, Kirinyaga County

Residents, led by Kanyangeini Village in-charge Anthony Chomba, said they initially battled the blaze to stop it from spreading to nearby homes before emergency responders arrived.

A water bowser from the Kirinyaga County Government was dispatched to the scene, but firefighters from neighbouring Embu County were later called in to help contain the fire.

The owner of the hay, Andrew Njanja, said he suffered losses exceeding KSh5 million, describing the incident as a major setback to a business he has operated for years.

Residents, led by Hellen Wanjiru, criticised the Kirinyaga County Government for lacking a functional fire engine, saying the delayed response allowed the fire to spread.

They cited a previous fire in Kaitheri, Kirinyaga Central, where more than 18 families were displaced, and urged the county to strengthen its emergency response capacity.

They also expressed concern that many workers employed at the site could lose their jobs following the destruction.