300 Kibra families get help from government after fire incident
Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, Geoffrey Ruku and nominated Senator Karen Nyamu.
Over 300 families in Kibra who were left homeless on Thursday following a fire have received government support to help rebuild their lives.
On Saturday morning, the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, Geoffrey Ruku, delivered various food items to the families, promising a long-lasting solution to fire incidents in informal settlements.
Mr Ruku distributed 250 mattresses, 500 blankets, 1,440 sanitary pads, 5,000 kilograms of rice and 5,000 kilograms of beans.
"As part of the long-term solutions to fire disasters in the informal settlements, the government is constructing affordable houses in many urban informal villages such as Kibra, Mukuru Kwa Njenga, Mukuru Kwa Reuben, and Korogocho,” Mr Ruku said.
“As a government, we are doing everything possible to ensure that the people in the informal settlement do not suffer,” he added.
The CS was accompanied by nominated Senator Karen Nyamu and Kibra MP Peter Orero.
Mr Ruku pointed out that part of the measures the government is undertaking to ensure those in informal settlements do not continue to suffer is the provision of affordable housing.
“The affordable housing projects in the informal settlements spearheaded by President William Ruto are a sustainable solution to such incidents and will ensure the government protects lives and properties of Kenyans while providing humane and decent living environments,” Mr Ruku said.
The latest fire incident comes just a week after Members of Parliament called on the government to provide a long-lasting solution over frequent fire outbreaks in informal settlements that have left many dead and properties destroyed.
Last month, a fire incident in Kibra left nine people dead and has now prompted lawmakers to raise questions over the government's preparedness in handling disasters, especially in the informal settlement.
The lawmakers challenged the government to come clear on its disaster management preparedness to avoid future loss of lives and properties.