Kisii County on failure to respond to CBD inferno on time: ‘Our fire engine was on another mission’

The Kisii County Government has come out to clarify why the dousing of a fire, which had engulfed a section of the town’s Central Business District (CBD) on Tuesday, took longer than expected to extinguish.

While labelling the incident as unfortunate, the county through its Chief Administration Officer Charles Nyakweba, cited that the region’s fire engine was on another mission when the fire broke out.

“As our fire engine was recalled back from the earlier incidence we requested for assistance from our sister County of Nyamira who responded immediately and dispatched their fire engine.  Fortunately, both the fire engines, Nyamira and Kisii County arrived at the same time,” Nyakweba said in a statement.

Nyakweba continued on to criticize locals for throwing projectiles at the fire engine once it arrived at the scene.

This, he said, stalled rescue operations at the scene owing to the fact that police intervention was required to contain the situation.

“We call upon members of the public to desist from such behavior as two wrongs don't make any right. Fire outbreaks are accidents which can occur anytime and sometimes simultaneously,” said Nyakweba.

The Chief Administration Officer consequently lauded Nyamira County for assisting in dousing the raging inferno which left traders counting losses.

“It should be remembered that in the past our sister County of Nyamira has had similar incidences and called for our hand of help and today’s gesture is much appreciated even as we look forward for such collaborations as and when the need arises,” he said.