Nairobi County Deputy Director for Fire Rescue Brian Kisali has been sent on compulsory leave over poor response to last night’s fire in Lang’ata, Nairobi.
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko suspended the Deputy Director on Monday following the inferno that has left four dead so far.
Kisali, who is in charge of fire and rescue services, received the leave notice signed from acting county secretary Leboo ole Morintant.
"You are instructed to prepare a handing over report to the country secretary by today," Morintant stated in the letter copied to Governor Sonko.
[caption caption="Property remains after the Lang'ata inferno"]
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"You were not aware that a fire broke out and your team lacked direction and coordination, resulting in deaths and loss of property due to mismanagement," he stated.
Lang'ata MP Nixon Korir had earlier on castigated City Hall following its slow response to the Kijiji slum fire.
Korir had noted that fire engines ran out of water, and criticized the county for failing to take proper precautionary measures to contain the inferno.
"I have been in communication with the government, specifically Deputy President William Ruto. We know help is coming for those affected. We will do all we can to help them," Korir stated.
The night fire spread fast in the densely populated area, destroying more than half of the village and left thousands homeless, spending the night in the cold.
[caption caption="Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko"]
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The disaster management agency noted that about 6,000 people affected by the fire are currently sheltering at Ngei Primary in Southlands Estate.
