More than 230 businesses from both the host and refugee communities in Turkana West have benefitted from a fire safety assessment conducted by the Directorate of Urban Areas Management in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
As part of the initiative, business owners received fire extinguishers and training on fire response activation and evacuation procedures.
The exercise aimed to enhance safety standards, aligning with the County’s goal of developing resilient towns to support economic growth.
Chief Officer for Urban Areas Management, Peter Lomorukai, who led the assessment team, stated that Kakuma was prioritised due to the high number of fire outbreaks that have devastated businesses and disrupted trade recently.
“We recognise fire outbreaks as a major threat. When they occur, both businesses and livelihoods suffer. This intervention mitigates the risk while also empowering the community on how to respond,” Lomorukai said.
Speaking on behalf of the inspection team, Peter Ejore, an experienced firefighter and fire survivor, emphasised the importance of fire safety awareness.
“The assessment revealed critical fire hazards in many businesses, including faulty electrical connections, open flames in cooking areas, and a lack of fire suppression equipment,” he noted.
Director of Administration, Dr. Napoco Ekitela, reaffirmed the County’s commitment to addressing fire risks and safeguarding livelihoods.
By Peter Gitonga
