A tragic fire outbreak at Daraja Mbili, Kitutu Chache South Constituency, Kisii County, has claimed the life of one resident and left several others nursing injuries.
According to eyewitnesses, the inferno broke out in a multi-storey residential building early Monday morning on September 8, 2025, sending tenants scampering for safety as thick smoke engulfed the premises.
The injured victims were rushed to Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital (KTRH) where they are currently receiving treatment. Doctors at the facility confirmed that most patients suffered burns and smoke inhalation, but are in stable condition.
Confirming the incident, Kitutu Central Sub-County Police Commander Kazungu Charo said: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of life. Our team has already launched investigations to establish the cause of the fire, and we assure residents that necessary measures will be taken to prevent a repeat of such incidents.”
One of the survivors, Jane Moraa, who escaped with minor injuries, recounted the harrowing ordeal.
“I woke up to screams and thick smoke filling the corridor. We had to break a window to get out. It was terrifying, and I’m lucky to be alive,” she told reporters at the hospital.
Meanwhile, the body of the deceased has been moved to the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary, pending a postmortem examination.
The Kisii County Disaster Management Unit has urged landlords to comply with safety standards, including installation of fire extinguishers and emergency exits, to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Residents of Daraja Mbili, still shaken by the ordeal, have called on county authorities to improve firefighting capacity in the area, citing delayed response time due to congested access roads.
The incident comes just weeks after local leaders raised concerns about increasing cases of fire outbreaks in Kisii town, with many pointing to poor building compliance and inadequate safety enforcement as key challenges.
As investigations continue, authorities have appealed for calm and vigilance among residents while promising swift action once the cause of the fire is established.
