Mukuru kwa Reuben fires leave residents in pain and agony

Residents of Nairobi’s Mukuru kwa Reuben slum are still grappling with the aftermath of a devastating fire that razed their homes and belongings on Monday morning.

Over 76 households were affected, leaving hundreds homeless and uncertain about how to rebuild their lives.

When The Saturday Standard visited the site, groups of women and children sat on top of the charred remains of their homes, sharing a burned mattress.

Children slept while the women, looking desperate, crowded together; perhaps recounting their ordeal and comforting each other.

Despite the danger of remaining in the open, especially for women and children, they had nowhere else to go.

This was the only place they had called home, now reduced to rubble and ash, with all their possessions including important identification documents gone.

With no sanitation facilities, water, or shelter, the air stunk of human waste, as the lack of toilets forced people to relieve themselves in the open.

The displaced residents said they have been sleeping outside, exposed to the cold, with their children by their side.

Sarah Okanya, who was breastfeeding her child at the charred mattress, visibly distressed, explained the situation.

"Since the fire, we have been sleeping here. Where else will we go when everything was burnt? Now the house is just ashes. We are struggling with our children with no food, no clothes, no washrooms," said Okanya.

Many children have been unable to attend school, and according to Okanya, some children whereabouts are unknown.

The fire, whose cause is yet to be established, left others with injuries in the process of running for safety.

Richard Mogaka, one of the victims, sustained severe burns on his face as he rushed to save children trapped inside the houses.

"We were still asleep when the fire started. I was burned badly while rescuing my children and others. I got out last, which is why my injuries are severe. Now, I cannot work to provide for my family," said Mogaka.

Mogaka, has not received medical attention due to lack of money and is now pleading for help.

"I don’t know what will happen to me. My face is badly burnt, and I need treatment, but I can’t afford it," he said.

Mogaka, a father of three, has been grounded by the injuries, unable to continue with his daily hustle to support his family.

Jane Simon, another resident, said that the government has not offered any support to the affected households days later.

"The government has neglected us. We feel betrayed, especially by those we elected. We cannot even get basic necessities like food and sanitary pads for women. We are struggling to raise our kids out here," she said.

She said that her children who were used to a stable life, now question whether they will have to continue living in such harsh conditions.

Peter Mbuthia, also a resident, pleaded for intervention from both the government and well-wishers.

"We are asking the government and anyone else who is willing; to help us with food, clothes, and to investigate the cause of the fire," he said.

Mbuthia criticised the slow response from the Nairobi county firefighters, that arrived after the fire had already burnt their homes.

Pius Muia, a community health promoter and a landlord in the affected area, said that many of those who were affected are single mothers.

"Most of the tenants here were single mothers with no one to turn to now. I appeal to anyone who can help to please step in. These people were raised here, and this is the only home they know," said Muia.

According to the residents, this is not the first time that specific area has been brought down by fire. In fact, it is the fourth fire within two years.

The residents are now calling for help and conclusive investigations into the causes of the recurrent fires.