This archive report was first published on 4 September 2019.
On September 4, 2019, a devastating fire swept through Nairobi's Mukuru Kayaba slums, leaving 60 families without homes.
The inferno, which started at around 8:30 pm due to an illegal power connection, spread rapidly, fueled by strong winds.
As the fire raged on, youths took matters into their own hands, demolishing some houses to prevent further spread.
However, the situation quickly turned chaotic as irate youths clashed with Nairobi County firefighters, accusing them of a late response after being alerted about the fire.
Firefighters were met with resistance, with youths pulling hose pipes from fire engines and pelting them with stones.
Among the victims was 35-year-old Elias Ndereva, a Jua Kali trader who lost everything except his children's double decker bed.
Another resident, Winnie Nyambura, a mother of one, was left with only the clothes she was wearing when the fire broke out.
She appealed to well-wishers to assist those affected by the fire.
A perimeter wall bordering the slums helped contain the fire, preventing it from spreading further.
Police officers arrived at the scene and kept guard as firefighters battled the blaze, which was eventually put out at around 10 pm.
