A massive fire has erupted at Karanja Stage in Karanja Village, Makina Ward, located in Kibra Constituency, leaving residents in distress as flames spread uncontrollably through the area.
The blaze, whose cause remains unidentified, has been exacerbated by a critical water shortage that has severely hampered containment efforts, leaving the community largely powerless to fight the inferno.
Images shared on social media platforms show the intensity of the fire as it tears through the densely populated settlement, with thick smoke billowing into the sky.
Emergency responders from the fire department and Red Cross arrived at the scene working to bring the situation under control, though water scarcity continued to pose significant challenges to their firefighting operations.
Images circulating on social media captured the devastation, residents hauling mattresses, clothing, and household items away from the advancing flames while firefighters struggled with limited resources.
The number of casualties and the total value of property destroyed remain unclear as assessment efforts continue amid the chaos.
This latest fire adds to Kibra's tragic pattern of blazes that have claimed lives and displaced hundreds of families in recent months alone.
Just last month, on December 16, 2025, a pre-dawn fire near Mashimoni Junction in Laini Saba killed two people and destroyed approximately 70 structures, leaving dozens homeless.
The May 24, 2025 fire in Makina-Kichinjio remains one of the deadliest, claiming eight lives including a pregnant woman and seven members of one family.
For the longest time, Kibra's fires are frequently attributed to electrical faults, cooking accidents involving stoves or gas, and candles used in homes without reliable electricity access.
However, water shortage continues to be the silent killer in these disasters, turning what could be contained into catastrophic losses for Kenya's most vulnerable communities.
Nairobi County Government is yet to issue a statement on the incident.
