A fire at Kerugoya Prison in Kirinyaga County has destroyed 21 staff houses and left several officers counting losses after their personal belongings were consumed by the flames.
The incident happened at the prison staff quarters, where wooden houses caught fire and the flames spread quickly.
The County Government of Kirinyaga sent firefighters to the scene after receiving reports of the blaze, with the team working to prevent the fire from spreading to more houses.
The firefighting operation was led by Peter Muriithi, who said the response team moved quickly after arriving at the prison. He said their efforts helped prevent the fire from causing even greater damage to the staff quarters.
“We acted very swiftly and it is due to our effectiveness that the fire did not destroy everything,” Muriithi said.
According to Muriithi, a clean water vehicle played an important role in the firefighting efforts. The vehicle was used to provide water as the team battled the flames, helping firefighters maintain their response as they worked to bring the situation under control.
Kirinyaga County Police Commander Mohamed Jire confirmed the incident and said 21 houses had been destroyed. He added that officers living in the houses also lost personal property in the fire.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire may have been caused by a candle that was left burning in the morning. Police are expected to continue with investigations to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
The fire has also renewed concerns over the county’s preparedness to respond to emergencies. Local leaders have questioned why Kirinyaga does not have a fully functional fire brigade despite funds having been allocated for firefighting equipment.
Kerugoya Ward MCA Eric Muchina said the County Assembly had set aside Ksh. 50 million for firefighting equipment.
However, he said the county continues to rely on water bowsers when responding to fire incidents.
Muchina said the situation was worrying because the prison fire was not the first emergency to expose the county’s firefighting challenges.
He called for action to ensure the allocated funds are used to improve firefighting services and equipment.
The destruction at Kerugoya Prison has left affected officers facing the task of replacing household items and other belongings lost in the fire as authorities assess the damage.
