Unknown property razed down by fire as residents blame the county over laxity

By Elizabeth Angira

Property of unknown value has been by fire that razed down several shops at Kisii County.

The root cause of the inferno has not been confirmed.

The fire destroyed Shops which contained gas cylinders, tyres, and boutiques at around 3:00 PM.

According to a section of eye witnesses said fire started from one of the shops and then spread to other shops causing a huge loss.

“We saw fire coming out from one of the shops which was at the middle, within no minute, all the shops which are almost twenty in number were up in flames,” said Judy Kemunto.

Joseph Morara a shop operator said he was alerted by screams and when he got out fire had spread to a few shops, he had to run for his life.

Several business people owning shops, said they have made huge loses and called on the security forces to investigate the incidence.

Speaking to some section of residents they have blamed the county over laxity saying that the fire brigades came later  and they were not in a position to salvage anything.

Ruth Moraa one of the shop owner said that the county government is not prepared for emergency.

“We have counted losses and yet the county is saying that they have built modern fire station with equiped equipment which is of not help to the emergency, “she said.

The residents cited that in several occasions of the inferno in Kisii County, much effort has never been met to contain the fire, the residents end up not to salvage anything.

They noted that in most incidents of inferno no arrest has ever met and yet the owners continue making loses.

The residents called upon the national government and county government to pull up their game and set aside emergency aid

Despite efforts by the County Government’s Disaster Management team, the fire spread too fast overwhelmed the residents as they watched helplessly and they did not salvage anything.