Kirinyaga: Traders count millions in losses after fire razes businesses in Kagio

The fire broke out at around 3 am, destroying hotels, salons, video halls and other businesses. Its cause remains unknown.

Residents led by Gerald Kimani said efforts to contain the blaze were hampered by delays in getting firefighting support. They claimed the Kirinyaga County fire brigade failed to respond in time, forcing residents to rely on available water to fight the fire.

A Kirinyaga County clean water truck arrived from Kerugoya, but residents said it was not equipped to effectively tackle the blaze.

Tension rose when a firefighting team from neighbouring Embu County arrived at around 5am and was nearly attacked by angry residents. The team explained it had come to assist in containing the fire.

Traders Daniel Kangangangi and Margaret Wawira, whose businesses near the affected area were not damaged, blamed the county government for failing to provide adequate firefighting services.

“They came with a clean water vehicle yet the building was burning. What’s wrong with the county government yet we pay taxes?” Wawira posed.

Kimani said the 24-hour nightclub Cash Cash also provided water that helped residents contain the fire.

He said one person had raised an alarm about a fire before it spread, but residents did not take the warning seriously.

Among those affected are business owners who lost property and stock worth millions of shillings.

“It is unfortunate a lady who started her business the other day, all her business is down,” Kangangangi said.

Police have launched investigations to establish the cause of the fire.