Employ jobless Mavoko fire victims, Senator Kavindu urges investors./GEORGE OWITIMachakos Senator Agnes Kavindu has called on companies in Athi River to employ jobless victims of the Njuguini fire tragedy and extend material support to help them rebuild their lives.
Kavindu said the many factories and private firms operating in the area should give back to the community by standing with residents who lost all their belongings in the September 18 inferno.
“We have many industrial companies in Athi River. So, we call upon the companies in Athi River to come to the rescue of these citizens as a way of giving back to the community. You work here, you work from here. Use part of the profits you make to support these people,” she said.
She urged that those victims who are jobless and employable should be given opportunities to earn a living again. “Also, those jobless and are employable. Employ them so that they can rise, stand on their feet and continue with their livelihoods,” she added.
The senator also called on the national and county governments to release emergency funds to assist the victims.
About 226 people were affected after the blaze razed 19 single-room houses in a two-storey building.
Kavindu told the victims not to lose hope, assuring them that surviving the incident was itself a sign of divine protection. She visited them on Sunday at the Salvation Army church in Athi River, about 200 metres from the scene, where they are temporarily housed.
She donated food to around 80 victims and said many were stranded with nowhere to go and no resources to restart their lives. “Let’s be human and stand with our people whenever there are tragedies like this,” she said, pledging to personally visit local firms to push them to employ victims.
Victims shared their painful experiences.
Faith Mwende said she was grateful to be alive together with her child, though the incident had left her traumatised.
“I have lost everything. I was out of the house when the fire broke out. I had gone to buy supper when I met the fire on my way back. I couldn't access my house due to the inferno,” she said.
The mother of one explained she had lived in the room for three years. “I plead to people of goodwill to come to my rescue through donations; materially and financially so that I continue with my life. I have lost all that I owned to the infer,” she added.
Charles Ikivai recalled that he was with his wife and child preparing supper when the fire broke out.
“It was around 7.00 pm. We had just started preparing supper at our single room house with my wife and child when we heard people shouting 'thief! thief! thief!'. We thought there were thieves in the building but realised it was fire. I told my wife to escape to safety together with the child,” he said.
He tried to help neighbours before fleeing.
“When I got to the house where the fire started, I found a man who was burnt helplessly lying on the floor. I escaped the scene to save my life. Police officers and fire brigade responded to the scene, but the fire engine ran out of water. The second engine reinforced the first one and helped fight the inferno,” he said.
Ikivai expressed concern about his daughter, who is set to sit for exams this year. “We are only left with these clothes on our bodies. We all spent the night in a church without blankets,” he said.
Elizabeth Syokau, a single mother of two, said she was at work when she got a call that her house was on fire. “I received a phone call that my house was on fire. I have lost everything to the inferno. I have remained with only these clothes on my body,” she said.
The victims’ landlord, Mutovi Ali, said the fire was caused by a gas explosion in one of the houses on the second floor. “The occupants of the said house sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the Kenyatta National Hospital where he was admitted,” Ali said.
He added that 19 out of 74 houses in the building were destroyed. “It will cost me about Sh40 million to renovate the houses,” he said.
For now, the victims continue to rely on public goodwill and support from leaders as they struggle to rebuild their lives.
