This archive report was first published on 4 September 2021.
On Thursday night, a devastating fire swept through a house in Mashuru, Kajiado County, claiming the lives of five family members.
The victims were identified as Naomi Timanoi Tipapei, 37, her children Komeiyan Saitoti, 9, Godwin Saitoti, 6, and five-month-old Naishorwa Saitoti, as well as their 18-year-old house help, Alice.
According to Mashuru Deputy County Commissioner Baraza Wafula, the father of the family was away at the time of the incident and only learned of the tragedy in the morning.
Wafula stated that a neighbour, Edward Koringo, reported the fire to the police, who then arrived at the scene to find that the main house had already been consumed by the flames.
"Our officers proceeded to the scene and found that the fire had already consumed the main house. Salvage efforts were futile," Wafula said.
The remains of the victims were taken to Kilome Nursing Home Mortuary in Makueni for further processing.
Residents have accused the authorities, including the county government, of failing to put in place adequate fire-fighting measures.
