- The horrible fire from Kibera has destroyed a young family of five, causing great sadness and anger across the country
- Victims – Father, Mother, and their three children – had moved to Nairobi from Emuhaya looking for a better life
- Following the tragedy, Emuhaya MP, Omboko Milemba, has called for access to justice, safe housing, and improved emergency systems to deal with disasters
The tragedy has hit Kibera and the Emuhaya parliament after a young family of five died in a massive fire that consumed the Makina, Kibera, in the early hours of Saturday, May 24.
Source: Facebook
The dead were identified as Ernest Ombima, his wife Flora Ambani, and their three children: nine -year -old Getrude Amisi, Silas Omboko, and newborn Stephen Ayimbo.
The family came from the village of Esirulo in the Emuhaya parliament, Vihiga County, and they moved to Nairobi in search of a better life.
A numerous emotional statement issued by Emuhaya MP, Omboko Milemba, confirmed the incident and expressed great sadness over the tragedy.
“It is with a deep heart of sadness that I bring this sad news that any leader does not want to bring it,” Said Milemba.
He referred to the deceased with a touch of heart – Ernest as a workforce, Flora as a quiet and generous housewife, and children as intelligent and high hopes for the future.
Their lives were stopped suddenly when the fire consumed their house early in the morning, and they had no chance to save themselves.
“Imagine their last minutes – Ernest trying to protect his family against fire. Flora, hugging her children, whispering prayers. The children, crying in fear, hoping that someone would help them. But no one could reach them on time,”Explained Milemba bitterly.
The MP stressed that this was not only a single village or parliamentary disaster, but a national disaster.
He emphasized the need for safer housing, urgent emergency services, and policies that protect the personality of every Kenyan regardless of their economic status.
Call for preparation against disasters
Milemba assured the public that plans are underway to transport the deceased to return to Emuhaya for a decent burial.
He also promised to help a wide family left, saying, “We will not let this family carry this sadness alone.”
The Kibera fire incident has sparked a new call for a change in preparations for disasters, especially in informal settlements where residents face high risk of disasters like this.
“Their memory should disturb our consciences until we build a nation that protects its people,” concluded the MP.
Candles and prayers are expected to take place in Kibera and Emuhaya in the future, when the nation is united to remember those who lost their lives.
The late Ernest, Flora, Getrude, Silas, and Stephen rest for eternal peace.
Source: Facebook
Kibera residents who saw the fire on Saturday’s dawn have sorry for the traumatic event.
“The fire started between ten and eleven o’clock in the morning. I woke up at eleven, and found two houses already burning. One Kibera woman told TV47.
He blamed the Nairobi Fire Department for not arriving in the area when they were ready to extinguish it.
“When they got here, they didn’t have water. They said they came to look at what happened. They came back with very little water. It was bad,” he added.
Another made the same comments, saying the fire department did not arrive quickly, and it was the local youth who provided the first aid to extinguish the fire when it started at 10am.
“They did not arrive as soon as expected. They were young people who helped us,” He said.
How many people died in Kibera fire?
Statistics show that eight people were killed by a terrible fire that broke out on Saturday morning, May 24, in Kibera.
Red Cross Communications Officer, Munir Ahmed, told TUKO.co.ke that at least 20 people were injured in the tragedy.
Ahmed added that the agency continues to assist victims by providing counseling services.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
