Kiambu County has formalized its partnership with the Polish Centre for International Aid (PCPM) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at improving disaster response in the region.
Governor Kimani Wamatangi, who signed the agreement, described the collaboration as a critical step in equipping emergency teams with the skills and tools needed to respond effectively to disasters.
“This MoU extends the fruitful partnership we have enjoyed with PCPM, which has focused on training our fire and rescue personnel and providing specialized equipment essential for effective emergency response,” he said.
The partnership has already yielded results, with 20 firefighters and rescuers recently completing an intensive eight-month Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) training program.
The course, which began in March, focused on preparing participants to handle emergencies such as collapsed buildings and water-related disasters.
Kiambu is home to Kenya’s first Urban Search and Rescue training school, located at the Kiambu Fire Station in Indian Bazaar.
The facility, designed to replicate real-life disaster scenarios, has so far trained over 300 emergency personnel from Kiambu, Nairobi and the national government.
Kiambu Chief Fire Officer Samuel Kahura noted that the training and equipment provided through the partnership have significantly improved the county’s disaster response capabilities.
“These advanced skills are critical for saving lives, especially in emergencies like buildings collapsing, which have become common to all,” Kahura said.
Between 2017 and 2023, Kenya recorded 87 cases of collapsed buildings, resulting in loss of life and property.
The partnership between Kiambu and PCPM is therefore seen as a necessary step to address such challenges and improve preparedness in the county and beyond.
The MoU aims to enhance Kiambu’s fire and rescue services, thus enhancing the county’s capacity to efficiently handle emergencies.
By Sylvia Wanjohi
