A woman who survived a 2019 fire is among hundreds counting heavy losses after a deadly dawn inferno killed two people and displaced more than 400 households in Nairobi’s Mukuru–Paradise ‘A’ slum.
The fire, which broke out at 4.30am in Viwandani ward, Makadara sub-County, reduced homes and businesses to ashes.
Residents of Nairobi’s Mukuru–Paradise ‘A’ slum count losses after a dawn fire killed two people and displaced more than 400 households on September 25, 2025.
Photo credit: Sammy Kimatu | Nation
For 39-year-old Gladys Nyambura, the tragedy was all too familiar. She had previously lost her home in a 2019 fire and this time, she said, she lost 30 sacks of dried maize, Sh20,000 in cash and her posho mill.
“Although I thank God for being alive, I must now start life from scratch again,” she told the Nation .
Makadara Deputy County Commissioner Philip Koima confirmed that the victims were a 23-year-old and a 40-year-old man whose bodies were burnt beyond recognition. Authorities are trying to identify them.
Mr Koima said residents were the first to respond, using water from their homes and even cutting water pipes in a desperate attempt to contain the flames before firefighters arrived.
Residents of Nairobi’s Mukuru–Paradise ‘A’ slum count losses after a dawn fire killed two people and displaced more than 400 households on September 25, 2025.
Photo credit: Sammy Kimatu | Nation
Anthony Musyoki, a resident, blamed the scale of destruction on poor access roads and strong winds.
“Three fire engines arrived too late. Two had no water while the third was only half full. Thank God residents pulled down structures to stop the fire from spreading further,” he said.
A preliminary report attributed the inferno to a faulty power line triggered by illegal connections. Narrow access routes worsened the crisis, slowing firefighting efforts.
Mr Koima said that Viwandani hosts oil and gas depots, making illegal constructions near power lines a grave danger.
Residents of Nairobi’s Mukuru–Paradise ‘A’ slum count losses after a dawn fire killed two people and displaced more than 400 households on September 25, 2025.
Photo credit: Sammy Kimatu | Nation
He also directed Kenya Power to disconnect illegal power lines and enhance surveillance, and instructed local administrators to conduct sensitisation campaigns and demolish unauthorised structures along power lines.
“This tragedy underscores why we must decongest access routes and eliminate illegal power connections. With fuel depots nearby, we are sitting on a time bomb,” the administrator said.
