Over 200 Families Left Homeless as Suspicious Blaze Erupts in Soweto, Kibera

Fire broke out in Soweto Highrise, Kibera, on Friday, February 8, leaving over 200 families homeless and destroying their property.

The fire reportedly razed down hundreds of informal settlements, leaving affected families mulling over their next steps. 

Footage obtained by Kenyans.co.ke showed residents scampering for safety as the fire ravaged a section of shacks.

Lang’ata Member of Parliament Phelix Odiwuor, alias Jalang’o, confirmed the incident, noting that there were no casualties in the fire that went on for over an hour. 

“Last night, more than 200 families of Soweto Highrise ward, Lang’ata constituency, lost their homes and property in a fire outbreak. The fire was contained, and everyone is safe,” Jalang’o noted. 

The cause of the fire is yet to be established, but preliminary reports, according to witnesses on the ground, indicated the fire might be a suspected arson attack.

According to unconfirmed reports by the witnesses, a disgruntled member of the estate reportedly set fire to one of the homes after being prohibited from leaving the premises. The fire spread to the rest of the houses, which were all near each other.

Further, the witnesses stated that this was the second attempted arson attack by the said person after a previous attempt on February 3, which was contained before it could do any damage.

When the fire first broke out, area residents engaged in concerted efforts to put out the fire before firefighters, who were late to the party, arrived and successfully managed to extinguish the fire. 

However, by the time the fire service arrived, the damage had already been done, with area residents managing to salvage the little that they could.  Kibera slums and other informal settlements in Nairobi are prone to fire incidents. 

The latest fire follows one that happened in Toi Market in August 2024, claiming four lives and decimating livelihoods.

In the early hours of Saturday, August 3, flames consumed the bustling market, reducing it to smouldering ruins and leaving the local community in shock and mourning.

The fire erupted around 5 am, rapidly spreading through the densely packed stalls. Traders and residents scrambled to save whatever they could, but their efforts were in vain as the inferno raged uncontrollably.

While the exact cause of the August fire remained unknown, speculation points to potential electrical faults, a theory that has circulated after previous incidents. However, no official confirmation was provided.

Meanwhile, Jalang’o vowed to rebuild the charred area of Soweto that was once bustling with life and activity. “Pray for Langata as we start the process of rebuilding Soweto,” he averred.