Kangemi Fire: Residents Fear People Trapped as Blaze Tears Through Homes

A major fire broke out in a residential area of Kangemi, Nairobi, on Thursday afternoon, with residents fearing that people could be trapped inside houses as firefighters battled to contain the blaze.

Thick black smoke was visible above the settlement behind Kangemi Shopping Centre along Waiyaki Way, as the flames spread through densely packed structures.

Witnesses said the fire started in the residential area and quickly intensified, raising fears that nearby homes could also be affected.

Nairobi County emergency crews were reported to have arrived at the scene and were working to bring the fire under control.

At the time of publication, the cause of the fire had not been established and there was no official confirmation of deaths or injuries.

The number of people who may have been inside the affected buildings was also unclear.

Why fires can spread quickly in Kangemi

The incident highlights the difficulties faced by emergency responders in densely populated informal settlements.

Parts of Kangemi are made up of closely packed semi-permanent structures, many constructed using corrugated iron sheets, timber, mud and other materials that can allow flames to spread rapidly from one building to another.

Narrow access routes can also make it difficult for fire engines to reach the heart of a settlement quickly.

For residents, that can turn what begins as a small fire into a major emergency within minutes.

Kangemi sits along the busy Waiyaki Way corridor and includes a mixture of informal housing, commercial premises and established residential neighbourhoods.

The settlement has experienced fires in the past, underlining the continuing challenge of fire safety in Nairobi's densely populated areas.

Rescue operation underway

As firefighters worked at the scene, residents were seen gathering near the affected area.

The immediate priority was to contain the flames and establish whether anyone remained inside the burning structures.

Officials are expected to provide more information on casualties, property damage and the cause of the fire once the emergency operation is completed.

Until then, reports of people being trapped remain unconfirmed.

The incident also comes as Nairobi continues to face pressure over emergency preparedness in informal settlements, where high population density, limited access roads and closely built structures can complicate firefighting operations.

For families living in the affected section of Kangemi, however, the immediate concern is much simpler: getting people out safely and preventing the fire from reaching more homes.

More to follow as officials establish the extent of the damage and confirm whether there are casualties.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.