A resident of Soweto in Embakasi is pictured beside the houses burned down in Soweto on February 7 PHOTO BABU OWINO

Several families in the Embakasi East constituency were forced to brave a long cold night, after fire razed their homes on Wednesday morning, February 7.

The fire occurred a few days after a gas explosion in the same constituency led by MP Babu Owino, left seven dead and over 300 injured.  

According to Babu, the Wednesday fire which started at around 3:00 am in Soweto rendered over 63 residents homeless after spreading to a string of houses in the area.

Residents stated that they contained the fire before it caused more damage after they realised that the Nairobi County firefighters would arrive late. The emergency service providers were accused of arriving at the fire scene three hours later. 

The cause of the fire and the value of damaged property were yet to be ascertained at the time of publishing this article. 

Unlike the gas explosion, residents confirmed that there were no injuries or fatalities recorded from the early morning incident. 

Babu Owino requested well-wishers to stand in solidarity with the residents of Embakasi who were grappling with the aftermath of two fire incidents. 

“Another sad day in Soweto ward, Embakasi East as 63 Residents are left homeless after a fire burned down their houses and other valuables last night. Please Pray for Embakasi East”.

Babu, whose real name is Paul Ongili, has been at the forefront of fighting for the wellness of the area residents after the Thursday, February 1, gas explosion hit national headlines. 

Additionally, residents of Embakasi East constituency have been in the headlines while grappling with the aftermath and picking up their lives. 

DCI arrested the gas plant owner alongside other individuals linked to the incident which occurred at the Mradi village. 

Further, the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) suspended four of its officers linked to issuing approvals to the gas plant in operation. Three out of the four were also detained as investigations into the explosion commenced.  By Hellen Njoroge, Kenyans.co.ke