A tragic house fire in Turi Farm, Molo, Nakuru County, claimed the life of a 10-year-old boy, John Ndegwa, on Monday night. The fire, which started at around 11:30 pm, is suspected to have been caused by an electrical fault. Ndegwa, a Grade Four pupil at Turi Sulgwita Primary School, was burnt beyond recognition. His mother, Grace Waithera, was left inconsolable as the police and residents retrieved the remains of the child from the burnt house.
The fire incident also claimed the lives of several livestock, including cows and chickens, that were burnt alive in the inferno. Lucy Njeri, Waithera's sister, recounted how an explosion woke them up, only to find the house already on fire. She explained that neighbours arrived in numbers, but their efforts to put out the fire were fruitless as it quickly spread to other rooms.
According to Njeri, the fire department was alerted, but they did not arrive in time to salvage the situation. Jack Mwangi, a resident, noted that the power supply had been unstable for several hours and was likely the cause of the fire. He faulted the Nakuru County government for failing to respond to the distress call, urging the leadership to procure another fire engine for Molo and the surrounding sub-counties.
The county government had previously procured a fire engine that was stationed in Molo but was burnt down by criminals during peaceful protests in June 2025. Mwangi argued that the only available fire engine is in Nakuru, which is too far to respond quickly to emergencies in Molo. He emphasized that the people of Molo pay taxes and should receive the necessary services, including a functional fire engine.
The incident has left many residents and commercial establishments helpless during such disasters, sometimes relying on private fire engines based miles away. Waithera expressed her grief, saying she had lost her son and nearly every other possession she had. The community is rallying around her to provide support during this difficult time.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but preliminary findings point to an electrical fault. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of electrical installations in homes and the need for regular inspections to prevent such tragedies. Authorities have been urged to take measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The local community is in shock, and leaders are calling for increased support and resources to prevent and respond to emergencies. The county government has been urged to prioritize the procurement of a new fire engine for Molo and to work with residents to enhance safety measures in homes and businesses.
Key points
- A 10-year-old boy died in a house fire in Turi Farm, Molo, Nakuru County, on Monday night.
- The fire is suspected to have been caused by an electrical fault, and the incident has raised concerns about the safety of electrical installations in homes.
- The Nakuru County government has been urged to procure another fire engine for Molo and the surrounding sub-counties to enhance emergency response.
