Mlango Kubwa residents in Mathare are still grappling with the effects of the tragic fire that broke out on Thursday morning and took the life of a child who was just six years old.
The Public Service Cabinet secretary, Geoffrey Ruku, visited the neighborhood on Thursday, December 11, 2025, and brought much-needed relief and promise that they would not leave the victims without help at a time like this.
The fire that broke out at approximately 9 a.m. ravaged the Kianda area of Mlango Kubwa, with most houses made up of tightly packed aluminum sheets. By then, burnt furniture, textbooks, kitchen stoves, and personal effects had been rendered useless as neighbors stood by, watching as a result of the rapid destruction caused by the fire.
At least for some members of the community, the loss had been overwhelming. Mothers with babies, senior neighbors, and small business owners, some of whom were watching as their food stands were destroyed by fire, were among those receiving food, blankets, and clothing. Ruku oversaw distribution.
As Ruku walked through some of the narrow streets that still had traces of water from firefighting activities, he spoke with some displaced families who had camped in shelters. Ruku assured them that government verification was being done so that all households get aid.
“We are looking at long-term solutions, ranging from support with reconstruction to more efficient disaster preparedness systems within regions where fires occur all too often,” he added.
Nairobi Women Representative Esther Passaris, who was physically present in Uganda attending EALA inter-parliamentary games, sent her office representatives with the CS. She had been briefed on the tragedy and yet another fire that had broken out at Embakasi Village on the same day. It was a warning signal of the frailty that existed within these irregular settlements.
Passaris reiterated the importance of consistent civic education on fire prevention.
“While it is imperative for the Nairobi Fire Service department to act swiftly and save lives and property, it is imperative for communities to be trained on preparedness and ways to avoid these tragedies,” she added.
As efforts by response teams continued with the distribution of aid, CS Ruku encouraged residents of Nairobi to unite behind leaders who were more about service as opposed to political disagreements that have retarded progress. But politics seemed very remote for the family members of Mlango Kubwa. On Thursday, they wanted for nothing but sorrow, loss, and start anew with a memory of a six-year-old who never got a chance to live.
