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A devastating fire ripped through Mlango Kubwa in Mathare, Nairobi, destroying homes and small businesses and forcing panicked residents to flee as emergency teams battled to contain the fast-spreading inferno.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos as towering flames engulfed structures in the densely populated settlement, reducing property to ashes and leaving families and traders counting heavy losses.
The cause of the fire remained unclear by the time of publication, but the scale of destruction has once again exposed the vulnerability of informal settlements to frequent fire disasters.
Former Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo confirmed she was monitoring the situation and coordinating with responders on the ground following distress calls from affected residents.
“We have received distress calls concerning a fire in Mathare’s Mlango Kubwa which has ravaged homes and small businesses, forcing many residents to flee for safety. We have been in touch with emergency teams on the ground who are working hard to contain the situation,” she said.
Odhiambo warned that the latest tragedy underscores a growing crisis, coming just hours after another massive blaze tore through Gikomba Market at dawn, destroying multiple stalls and livelihoods.
“Coming off the back of the early morning fire in Gikomba, this highlights the urgent need for a coordinated plan for fire safety, accessible emergency services, and dignified housing so that communities like Mathare are not left to face disaster alone time and again,” she added.
At Gikomba, traders woke up to smouldering ruins after a fire broke out at around 4:00 a.m., causing extensive damage to business premises. The Kenya Red Cross confirmed that a multi-agency response team had been deployed to contain the blaze and assess the needs of affected traders.
Footage from both incidents showed thick plumes of smoke rising above Nairobi’s skyline as firefighters raced against time to prevent further destruction.
Authorities are yet to determine the causes of the twin fires, but the back-to-back incidents have reignited urgent calls for improved urban planning, fire preparedness, and stronger emergency response systems in high-risk areas.
For many victims, however, the priority remains immediate—finding shelter, salvaging what little remains, and rebuilding their lives from the ashes.
