Devastating fire ripped through Nairobi’s Tassia Estate in Embakasi East on the evening of Tuesday, August 26, leaving a trail of destruction, displacing more than 450 households, and rendering countless families homeless.
The massive blaze, which appears to have originated from an informal housing unit, spread rapidly through the densely packed structures built largely from iron sheets and wood. Preliminary reports suggest a possible gas explosion triggered the disaster, though the exact cause remains under investigation.
According to witnesses, panic gripped the community as the flames consumed homes within minutes. Families fled with little more than the clothes on their backs, leaving behind valuables, tools of trade, and critical documents.
“We lost everything. My children don’t even have clothes left. Important documents, my business stock, even the little savings I had in the house all gone in minutes,” said Mary Atieno, a tearful resident who watched helplessly as her home was reduced to ashes.
Emergency teams, including the Nairobi City County Fire Brigade, Kenya Red Cross, police, and volunteers, battled the inferno late into the night before finally containing it. One person was evacuated to the Embakasi Health Centre for treatment. “We are conducting assessments to establish the extent of damage and urgent needs of the displaced families. Many require shelter, food, and clothing,” a Kenya Red Cross official said.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino expressed deep sorrow, noting the immense loss suffered. “The fire destroyed many homes in the area, leaving families with nothing. Many have lost not only their homes but also their belongings, memories, and sources of livelihoods,” he said, adding that the tightly packed nature of informal settlements contributed significantly to the fire’s rapid spread.
Just a week earlier, on August 18, a seven-month-old baby died in a night fire that razed several houses. In March, another blaze in Kwa Kassim within Tassia left six people severely injured and destroyed property of undetermined value. Alarmingly, most of these fires have been linked to gas explosions, raising concerns about safety standards and the need for stricter regulation.
Residents and leaders have also criticized the responsiveness of Nairobi’s emergency services. During a past fire in March, Embakasi North MP James Gakuya faulted Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration for failing to provide timely assistance to victims, despite the existence of a Disaster Management Fund.
“This is not the first time Tassia has faced such a tragedy. We need long-term solutions – better planning, fire hydrants, and stronger disaster preparedness,” said John Mwangi, a local youth leader assisting survivors. By Vincent Olando, KDRTV
