A fire broke out at Mbagathi Greens Estate, behind Maasai Mall in Rongai, sparking concern among residents over what they described as a lack of prompt emergency response.
The blaze was reported to have been burning for about an hour, with social media users raising alarm over the delay in the arrival of emergency responders as fears grew over the safety of residents and the possible destruction of property.
Henix Obuchunju was among those who raised concern over the incident, questioning the country's preparedness to respond to emergencies.
“We cannot continue treating emergency preparedness as an afterthought when lives are at stake,” he said.
Other Kenyans expressed concern over the state of fire and rescue services, with some sharing accounts of previous incidents in which emergency responders allegedly arrived late or lacked the resources needed to contain fires.
One social media user, identified as Faith Wayua, described emergency response services as inadequate and expressed hope that no one had been injured in the Rongai incident.
Wayua also recalled an incident in Voi involving a truck that had caught fire near the Maneaters area.
She claimed that when she called the local fire brigade, she was told the team lacked fuel and might have to stop at a petrol station for assistance.
Another user, Grace Kirima, alleged that firefighters in a separate incident arrived at the scene without water, further highlighting concerns over the capacity of emergency services to respond effectively to fires.
The incident at Mbagathi Greens Estate has renewed calls for authorities to strengthen emergency preparedness, adequately equip fire stations, and ensure that response teams can reach affected communities without unnecessary delays.
Residents and other concerned Kenyans have urged county governments and relevant emergency agencies to prioritise fire and rescue services, citing the risks posed by delayed interventions when lives and property are at stake.
As of the time of the cited reports, there was no confirmed information on the cause of the fire, the extent of the damage, or whether any casualties had been recorded.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the importance of adequately equipped fire engines, reliable water supplies, sufficient fuel and coordinated emergency response systems in protecting lives and property during disasters.
