It was this phenomenonal Friday 11/11/2011.
It dawned just like any other beautiful day. Little did we know the fate that awaited a section of families in Mathare slums. A fierce fire started in one of the houses and that marked the beginning of troubles to the residents who already live in abject poverty.
It was around 7.30 am. Some people had already gone to their respective jobs and children to school and hence little manpower to salvage the belongings from being consumed by the huge inferno. The situation was further worsened by scarcity of water that has hit the slums for a week now and putting out the fire was an uphill task. The residents resolved to demolish the nearby houses to prevent the fire from spreading but were unable to counter the speed with which the fire was moving.
Desperate shouts for help and cries from women and children rented the air and were joined by the siren from Nairobi city council fire fighter truck which joined the residents in fighting the fire.
In a nutshell, what used to be a residential area with a dense population and a bee-hive of activity was reduced to ashes. The source of the fire was not established but one thing was clear. Property worth of much money was destroyed, hundreds of people rendered homeless with nothing to eat or cover them as they are stranded in the cold. They gaze at what used to be their homes in disbelief not sure of what next. A few people succumbed minor injuries where they were treated and discharged. Thanks God no one died in the fire as happened recently in one of the slums in Nairobi where hundreds lost their lives.
Maji Mazuri came in handy and was quick to respond to the situation that occurred near their Mathare hall. Foodstuff, clothes and blankets were donated to the fire victims, most of who are members of Maji Mazuri projects e.g. Mavuno, Garbage, ICT, youths and Teens groups.
The quantification of the items that were given out today on 11/11/2011
15 blankets- 5,250
10 kg cooking fat - 1,500
90 kg maize grain - 5,400
6 bales* 20 kg Famila - 6,000
5 pairs slippers(kids) - 250
30 small plastic cups - 240
2 packs UHT milk 20 ltrs - 800
Assorted clothes - 4,000
Transport – 1,300
Total amount = kshs 24,740
A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND IN DEED.
Compiled by
Daniel Wainaina
