LEADER IGNORES SLUM FIRE

At least 3 people died in a fire incident that saw over 500 houses
burnt to ashes within Mathare area 10.

Yesterdays, fire incident displaced more than 2000 people without any
belongings to their name.

Residents of mathare area 10 restructure homes.

Two children aged 7 and 3 years were among those that burnt beyond
recognition. Another 50 year old man also died known to be the Area
Village Chairman.


The fire later caused an electric malfunction in the area as it lasted
for over 6 hours. Residents say the fire had a high blaze of 15 feet.

Most of the residents  have lived there for over 10 years. They lack
food, clothing and shelter to survive until they get back on their
feet.  Women,children and men were scattered desperately in various
settings looking helpless. A few of the healthy residents teamed up to
restructure and design new houses .

Lilian Awino, mother of the two dead children grieved in pain. “ I
appeal to well wishers to help me bury my two children and restructure
my house.” she said.  The widow helplessly watched her children burn
to a black and solid image as residents tried to cool off the fire.


Fire brigade were unable to reach the scene due to poor planning of
buildings and rough terrain that block access in the slum.  The cause
of fire is not yet known but is suspected to be from a petroleum
source.

In the morning youths frog marched a demonstration to area MP Margrate
Wanjiru's Church in Jiam center. However, they were scattered and
disrupted by police officers by use of live bullets and tear gas.

At least seven of the demonstrators have been arrested but residents
claim they have no contact of which station they were put in custody.

They had gone to the MP to demonstrate for their rights in accessing
CDF money for Disaster management.“We have checked in Kamkunji,
Ruaraka,Central police station and others too but they are not
identified .” said a senior resident by the name Achieng.

By,late in the afternoon MP Wanjiru responded to another senior
resident known as Garang, saying that she had no clue where the
arrested demonstrators were taken.

The residents have expressed disappointment at their leader and demand
her presence in the area to show support.