Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has shed light on the difficult conditions confronting the city’s fire department.
During a meeting with Nairobi City firefighters on Tuesday, the senator highlighted several critical issues, including malfunctioning equipment, poor working conditions, and inadequate pay, which are severely affecting the department’s ability to perform effectively.
“Met with a group of Nairobi City firefighters this morning. These individuals often face criticism for their responses to fires, but it’s important to also recognize the challenges they’re dealing with,” Sifuna said.
One of the major problems uncovered during the discussion was a water shortage hampering emergency response efforts. Sifuna revealed that none of the six fire stations’ boreholes are functional, forcing firefighting teams to travel long distances across the city to refill their trucks.
For example, firefighters responding to emergencies in Kibra are required to drive all the way to Gigiri to replenish their water supply.
Sifuna also pointed to the low morale among firefighters, which he attributed to inadequate pay, poor working conditions, and a lack of proper equipment.
“Morale is extremely low due to poor working conditions, low pay, and a shortage of equipment,” Sifuna said.
In response to these challenges, Senator Sifuna vowed to push for improvements within the fire department.
He called on the county government to reassess the department’s structure to ensure it functions properly and meets the needs of the city.
Nairobi County fire brigade fleet.
“We will urge the county government to reevaluate the entire setup of the fire department because the current system is not working and is completely unacceptable,” he stated.
