A fierce inferno ravaged Kitengela, Kajiado County, on the night of July 25, 2025, leaving a trail of destruction that consumed properties suspected to be valued at millions of shillings.
Reports indicate the fire originated at approximately 7pm within a plastic shop located along the busy Nairobi-Namanga in Kitengela town.
Eyewitnesses recounted hearing distinct, loud bangs just moments before the fire erupted and began its rapid, destructive spread.
"We heard a loud spark, then saw smoke billowing from the plastic shop. Within minutes, everything was on fire," one distressed witness described the incident.
The fire spread quickly, engulfing adjacent shops and properties in the commercial area, turning valuable stock and structures into ashes. The affected businesses include a furniture store, a mobile phone shop, a boutique, and parts of a hotel.
Other structures destroyed include food kiosks, retail shops, and residential units, this is because of flammable materials.
While emergency services responded to contain the fire, the incident has left many traders grappling with significant losses, facing an uncertain future.
In a video obtained by kenyans.co.ke other locals were seen attempting to put out the fire using the buckets of water and sand, but all were in vain as the fire was spreading faster.
Machakos County firefighters arrived at the scene an hour later and managed to stop the fire from spreading further to other structures.
The firefighters were forced to destroy structures to stop the flames from spreading further. The inferno was worsened by gas cylinders in affected shops that exploded.
It was reported that the police were forced to disperse residents who were trying to salvage properties.
This incident comes amid growing fire outbreaks in the area. Locals are now asking the Kajiado County government to provide more fire engines and better-equipped teams to handle such disasters.
