Tim Wanyonyi Supports 79 Families Affected by Sunbeam Kangemi Fire

WESTLANDS, NAIROBI — Westlands MP Hon. Tim Wanyonyi has extended humanitarian support to families affected by a devastating fire in Sunbeam, Kangemi.

The fire destroyed about 79 houses and left scores of residents without shelter and basic necessities.

Through his constituency office, Hon. Wanyonyi donated foodstuffs and blankets to the affected families. The support will help meet some of their immediate needs as they recover from the tragedy.

The fire broke out at around 11am on August 13. It spread rapidly through the densely populated settlement. Many residents escaped with only the clothes they were wearing.

The tragedy also claimed the life of Allan Kigali. He suffered injuries during the incident and later succumbed.

Kangemi Assistant Chief Ambulwa said police were investigating the cause of the fire.

“We do not know what caused the fire. Police are investigating. The affected houses are around 79, and nobody was able to save anything,” he said.

Ambulwa was at Kabete National Polytechnic when he received information about the fire. He immediately contacted firefighters.

However, heavy traffic delayed the fire engines as the flames spread through the settlement.

He said many affected families were still sleeping outside and urgently needed temporary shelter.

“We have received very big help today through food and blankets from Hon. Tim Wanyonyi. We still need more help, especially tents and a place for these families to sleep,” Ambulwa said.

Hon. Tim Wanyonyi’s Office Pledges Continued Support

Westlands Constituency Office Deputy Manager Evans Ochieng conveyed Hon. Wanyonyi’s sympathies to the victims.

He assured them that the MP’s office would continue supporting them during their recovery.

“Pole kwa moto. Hon. Tim is still your MP, and his office will continue working for you. Come to the office whenever you have a challenge, and we will serve you,” Ochieng said.

He explained that the food and blankets would address some of the families’ immediate needs.

Residents also requested tents for temporary accommodation. Ochieng said the constituency office would follow up on the request.

“We have brought food and blankets. We have also heard your request for a tent for temporary accommodation, and we will give you feedback,” he said.

Ochieng also thanked residents for their continued support for Hon. Wanyonyi. He asked them to continue praying for him as he pursues his future aspirations.

Assistant Commissioner Appeals for More Support

Kangemi Division Assistant Commissioner Lawrence Mbuvi thanked Hon. Wanyonyi for responding to the tragedy.

He said the assistance would offer relief to families who lost their homes and belongings.

“Pole sana. Nobody would wish to see everything they own destroyed by fire. Start with the little assistance you have received as we wait for more support,” Mbuvi said.

He acknowledged that the victims were going through a difficult period.

Mbuvi appealed for more assistance, especially temporary accommodation, clothing and other basic necessities.

He also requested support to secure tents for the displaced families. Alternatively, he suggested finding a church or another suitable facility to host them temporarily.

“We thank Hon. Tim for his actions and for assisting wananchi. He is usually among the first to respond,” Mbuvi said.

“These are my people. When they are hurting, I also feel their pain.”

Mbuvi also assured residents that the local administration would help those who lost important documents. His office will guide them through the replacement process.

He said clothing donations from other partners would also provide much-needed support during the cold season.

Call for Smaller Fire Engines in Informal Settlements

Mbuvi also appealed to the Nairobi City County Government to improve firefighting capacity in informal settlements.

He urged the county to consider acquiring smaller fire engines. Such vehicles could navigate the narrow access roads found in densely populated settlements.

“We need at least three or four smaller fire brigade vehicles that can respond to incidents in areas like this,” he said.

He also called for increased community sensitisation on fire prevention and response.

Fire incidents remain a major concern in densely populated settlements. Narrow roads can also delay emergency services when every minute counts.

Victims Recount Painful Losses

For the victims, the fire has left painful memories and uncertainty about the future.

Vallerie, one of the affected residents, said she lost everything, including important documents.

“We just saved our lives. Everything else, including our documents, was lost,” she said.

Christine Awino was at home when she received an alert about the fire. Her husband was also inside their house at the time.

She said the fire appeared to have started in a bedroom before spreading to neighbouring houses.

Awino also lost her shop and its contents. She became emotional as she described losing her source of livelihood.

“I lost my shop and everything in it. I am hoping that with my own hands I can work again and recover,” she said.

She also appealed for prayers for the affected families.

“We need prayers. We pray that something like this does not happen again,” she added.

Families Sleeping in the Open

Moses Juma was at work when a neighbour called him about the fire.

He immediately rushed home. However, by the time he arrived, the flames had destroyed his belongings.

“It spread very fast. By the time I came back, everything had burnt,” Juma said.

He said some families had been sleeping in the open since the tragedy.

Juma thanked Hon. Wanyonyi for providing food and blankets.

“We thank God for Hon. Tim’s assistance. At least now we have blankets and something to eat,” he said.

He also appealed to other well-wishers to support the victims.

“We ask other well-wishers to come and help us,” he added.

Juma said the fire had also affected children’s education. Some parents lost money they had set aside for school fees.

He also lost money meant for his business and his children’s education.

Residents Seek Help to Rebuild Businesses

Nancy Atieno witnessed the fire as it spread through the settlement.

She said residents tried to contain the flames but could not stop them.

“We tried to put it out, but it was not possible. We sought assistance, but we could not stop it,” Atieno said.

She spent the night outside after losing her home and belongings.

Atieno also lost everything connected to her business.

She thanked Hon. Wanyonyi for the assistance and appealed for support to restart her livelihood.

“If I can get some capital to restore my business, I will be happy,” she said.

Mother of Five Appeals for Building Materials

For Lilian Indago, finding shelter for her five children remains the biggest priority.

She had gone to look for casual work when someone informed her about the fire.

Indago rushed back to Sunbeam but found that the flames had destroyed everything.

“Everything was burnt down. If I can get even two iron sheets to start rebuilding my house, it will help,” she said.

She welcomed the food and blankets provided through Hon. Wanyonyi’s office.

“I am grateful that today we have received food and blankets,” she said.

Families Appeal for More Assistance

The affected families now need support beyond food and bedding.

Temporary shelter remains one of their most urgent needs.

Residents have appealed for tents, clothes, building materials and household items. Some also need financial assistance to restart businesses destroyed by the fire.

Parents are particularly concerned about their children’s education. Several families lost school fees, uniforms, books and other essential items.

The local administration said several well-wishers have already responded to the tragedy.

The Hindu Council of Kenya previously provided food and clothing to the affected families.

Hon. Wanyonyi’s latest intervention has provided additional relief through food and blankets.

However, local administrators say the families still need more support.

As police investigate the cause of the fire, authorities have also called for greater fire safety awareness. They want improved emergency response systems in informal settlements.

For the families of Sunbeam, the immediate priority remains shelter.

Many must also rebuild businesses and homes that took years to establish but disappeared within minutes.