Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku visited Mlango Kubwa in Mathare Constituency on Thursday, December 11, 2025, following a fire that claimed the life of a six-year-old child and destroyed homes leaving dozens displaced.
CS Ruku oversaw the delivery of emergency supplies, including foodstuffs, blankets, clothing, and other essentials, aimed at helping affected households to stabilise in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Mothers with young children, the elderly, and small business owners were among those who received support.
The fire erupted at around 9 am and quickly spread through the neighbourhood's houses and structures, which are mostly made of aluminium sheets.
While the Nairobi Woman Representative, Esther Passaris, was representing Kenya at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Inter-Parliamentary Games in Uganda, her office accompanied the CS to assess and assist the affected families.
Passaris noted that while attending to that disaster, she also learnt of another fire in Embakasi Village.
She emphasized that fire prevention civic education is crucial, particularly in informal settlements, where residents face heightened vulnerability
“The swift response of the Nairobi Fire Department is crucial in saving lives and protecting property during such emergencies,” Passaris noted.
CS Ruku further stated that assessments were ongoing to ensure all displaced families received assistance, adding that the government was considering longer-term interventions.
He added that such intervention included reconstruction support and strengthened disaster-preparedness measures in informal settlements where fires are common.
Ruku also used the visit to rally Nairobi residents behind leaders committed to development, saying political wrangles had slowed progress in the city.
