Five people, including two children, died in a fire that broke out around 2 a.m. on May 19 in Nairobi’s Mathare B slums. Four others sustained serious injuries and were taken to MSF hospital.
The fire, which started in one of the iron sheet houses, rapidly spread and destroyed at least eight homes and two churches. Fire engines from the military and Nairobi County were needed to contain the blaze.
Nairobi police boss George Sedah confirmed the victims were asleep when the fire erupted. Several families were left homeless, and smoke was still rising from the area hours later as residents began rebuilding.
The bodies were taken to the mortuary for autopsies. Police are investigating the cause of the fire, with emergency responders citing poor access roads as a recurring obstacle in slum fire responses.
