GARISSA – Business owners in the Anti Shifta area at the heart of Garissa town are counting losses of unknown value after a fire razed their commercial premises on Wednesday.
The inferno, whose cause was not immediately established, reportedly began at a wholesale shop before spreading to a nearby pharmacy and other adjacent businesses.
Local residents, alongside prison officers stationed at the Garissa Main Prison, struggled to contain the blaze before it could cause further destruction.
Eyewitnesses expressed frustration with the Garissa County fire department, accusing them of responding late to the emergency, which they claimed could have saved more property.
“We tried our best to put out the fire using water from nearby tanks and even sand, but it was overwhelming. The fire brigade arrived late, and by then, the damage had already been done,” said Hassan Maalim, who witnessed the incident.
Mr. Mohammed Dubow, lamented the lack of preparedness by the fire department.
“This is not the first time we are experiencing such delays. We are tired of empty promises from the county government. They need to take disasters like this seriously,” he told Kulan Post.
“The fire trucks were not only late but also seemed ill-equipped. This shows a lack of priority for public safety by those in charge,” said Mr. Anthony Katana, who was nearby when the fire began.
Angry locals called on the county government to hold the fire department accountable and ensure better disaster preparedness in the future.
Garissa County firefighters are tasked with extinguishing fires, protecting lives and property, and conducting rescue operations.
The incident puts them under scrutiny for alleged inefficiency and inadequate response during emergencies.
Police sources said investigations into the cause of the fire are underway as the affected business owners begin the painful process of rebuilding their livelihoods.
