Residents of Waruku Estate in Nairobi County are counting heavy losses after a devastating late-night fire tore through homes and businesses, leaving dozens of families displaced and property worth thousands destroyed.
The inferno broke out on the night of Monday, May 25, in the densely populated settlement located within Kileleshwa Ward, sparking panic among residents as flames rapidly spread across closely built structures.
According to area Member of County Assembly Robert Alai, at least 20 houses and 11 businesses were affected by the blaze, which forced families to flee into the cold night as firefighters battled to contain the flames.
“There is an emergency fire outbreak in Waruku. Your response and support will be appreciated,” Alai said in a statement posted on his official X account at around 9:45pm.
Emergency response teams from the Nairobi Fire Department were deployed to the scene and managed to contain the fire before it spread to more structures within the crowded neighbourhood.
Videos and images shared online showed towering flames lighting up the night sky as terrified residents scrambled to rescue household belongings from the burning buildings. Some were seen carrying mattresses, electronics and personal items to safety, while others watched helplessly as their homes and businesses were engulfed by the inferno.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as panic spread across the estate, with residents desperately appealing for urgent assistance from emergency responders and well-wishers.
“The fire spread so fast because the houses are very close to each other. People were screaming and trying to save whatever they could,” one resident said.
By Tuesday morning, the cause of the fire had not yet been established, with authorities expected to launch investigations into the incident.
No deaths or injuries had been officially confirmed at the time of publication. However, several families were left homeless following the destruction caused by the blaze.
The latest incident has once again raised concerns over the increasing number of fire outbreaks in Nairobi’s informal settlements, where congested housing, illegal electricity connections and poor road access often hamper emergency response efforts.
The Waruku tragedy comes barely a day after another major fire incident in the Ananda Marga area of Kangora in Kangemi Ward, Westlands Constituency, where at least 30 houses were destroyed and more than 30 families displaced.
Westlands Member of Parliament Tim Wanyonyi said his office had already begun distributing relief supplies to affected residents.
“Through my office, we extended relief support to families affected by the recent fire tragedy in the Ananda Marga area, Kangora, Kangemi Ward,” Wanyonyi said in a statement shared on Monday.
“The unfortunate incident destroyed 30 houses and displaced over 30 families, leaving many residents without shelter and basic household necessities.”
Authorities are now under pressure to strengthen fire preparedness measures in informal settlements amid growing fears over recurring disasters that continue to leave vulnerable families devastated.
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