The Kenya Public Benefits Organization National Federation (PBO-NF) has mourned the tragic death of three people reported to have perished in the fire that engulfed the Toy market in the heavily populated informal settlement of Kibera.
Speaking after the tragedy today Saturday August 3 2024, PBO National federation Chairman Stephen Kipchumba Cheboi called on the Nairobi city county to help affected traders build permanent structures that can withstand the constant fires that have raged every year since 2019 causing heavy loss in lives and property.
We urge the Nairobi county government under leadership of Governor Johnson Sakaja to end this constant cycle of fires which residents claim is started by malicious people by building a modern market that will give the Toy market vendors first priority in managing the stall just as happened at Mutindwa opposite Umoja 1 in Buru Buru phase 5,” Cheboi said. He said those who had lost property worth millions deserve to be compensated. we further condemn those chaos witnessed during the Governors visit to the area.
Cheboi mourned the loss of lives saying the prayers of the PBO Federation are with the families who have lost loved ones praying that God gives them the strength to bear this tragic loss that could have been avoidable.
Cheboi has further urged the Nairobi county to fast track the project aimed at upgrading the Kibera slums reputed to be one of the world’s most densely populated per person per square metre next to South Africa’s Soweto, which has made the area ripe for all manner of disease outbreaks especially among children, as it has no running water, drainage or sewerage system.
“We want as PBO Federation to urge counties on start g with Nairobi to walk the talk of improving the welfare of wananchi especially in low income informal settlements who need clean drinking water, decent roads, drainage and toilets” Cheboi said.
