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The fire that swept through Shabaab Ward exposed serious cracks in Nakuru County’s disaster management system and showed why Shabaab Ward MCA Macharia Wathiai must move to hold leadership accountable.
As flames consumed businesses, residents waited helplessly for a county fire engine that never arrived. With no emergency response in sight, they were forced to pool resources and hire clean water trucks to try to contain the blaze. Reports later revealed that the fire engine could not be deployed due to lack of fuel, a shocking failure in a county where traders pay taxes and license fees intended to fund such essential services.
The incident sparked public outrage, with residents chanting “Wantam” and openly blaming Governor Susan Kihika’s administration for negligence. The Shabaab fire was not just an accident, it was a predictable failure of leadership and preparation.
MCA Wathiai’s call for impeachment of the County Executive Committee Member in charge of Public Service and Disaster Management is therefore justified. Disaster response is a critical county function, and leaving residents to fend for themselves is gross negligence.
This is not an isolated case. In Kihoto, flood victims previously received little to no support despite the disaster management department receiving millions of shillings annually. Families were displaced, properties destroyed, and the county response was minimal. In Molo Municipality, a fire engine burnt during protests has never been replaced, leaving the town vulnerable despite insurance coverage and municipal status.
These repeated failures point to systemic issues. Beyond impeachment, the Department of Public Service and Disaster Management, including the Chief Officer, requires urgent restructuring.
Accountability must be enforced, emergency resources properly managed, and response systems made operational.
About Post Author
Amos Lumbasi
With a knack for captivating storytelling, Amos Lumbasi has a talent for crafting narratives that resonate with readers. He combines meticulous research with a captivating writing style to create articles that are both informative and enjoyable to read.
- Amos Lumbasi