Several prison officers were left homeless after a fire broke out on the night of January 6 at their headquarters inside Meru Prison.
The fire, which took place a few metres from the Governor's residence, reportedly started in the evening and quickly spread through the wooden structures, consuming personal belongings and essential household items.
Residents and officers at the scene were forced to flee as the flames intensified, with preliminary reports indicating that at least 14 families were left without shelter after the inferno.
Worryingly, witnesses at the scene reported that no firefighters responded to the incident. The only available fire engine in the county was reportedly grounded due to a lack of fuel, leaving the blaze unchecked for a prolonged period.
Local residents immediately intervened, fetching water in buckets and basins in a bid to contain the fire. Their efforts were aimed at preventing the flames from spreading further, but the absence of professional firefighting equipment limited their effectiveness.
No official statement has been issued by the county government, the prison authorities, or emergency services regarding the incident.
The destruction of the officers’ quarters has left multiple families displaced, with many losing essential belongings, including clothing, documents, and household items.
A police report released after inferno stated that no casualties were reported from the fire, whose cause is still under probe. Authorities , however, suspect that the blaze may have been caused by an electric fault.
Meru County has experienced several fire incidents in 2025. On July 7, Magunas Supermarket in Makutano was looted and set on fire during nationwide protests, with three suspects later arrested.
On October 15, a building at Kibukona Market caught fire, with firefighters reportedly taking three hours to respond as they were stationed at a political rally.
Other fatal incidents include a fire in Kiirua, Buuri, on July 30, which claimed the life of a 67-year-old man, and a May fire in Mutethis, Buuri, in which two young girls aged two and four died in a rental house.
Additionally, on September 25, an unidentified person set a three-acre miraa farm on fire in Kinisa Amati, causing significant economic loss.
