Panic in Mathare as fire rips through Mlango Kubwa

A fire broke out on Sunday in Mathare’s Mlango Kubwa area, destroying multiple homes and small businesses as residents scrambled to escape the rapidly spreading flames.

Video footage circulating online showed thick plumes of smoke rising from the densely populated settlement as corrugated iron-sheet structures (mabati houses) were engulfed in fire. Residents were seen desperately trying to salvage belongings, while others made unsuccessful attempts to contain the blaze.

In one widely shared clip, a woman is heard pleading for help from emergency responders, urging the public to circulate the footage to draw urgent attention to the incident.

Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo confirmed the fire, saying emergency teams had been alerted and were working to contain the situation.

“We have received distress calls concerning a fire in Mathare’s Mlango Kubwa which has ravaged homes and small businesses, forcing many residents to flee for safety. We have been in touch with emergency teams on the ground who are working hard to contain the situation,” she said.

Odhiambo said the incident comes shortly after another major fire at Gikomba Market, pointing to what she described as the need for stronger preparedness and coordinated emergency response systems in informal settlements.

She called for urgent investment in fire safety infrastructure, accessible emergency services, and improved housing conditions to reduce the vulnerability of communities repeatedly affected by such disasters.

Authorities had not immediately confirmed the cause of the Mathare fire or the extent of the damage by the time of publication.

The incident comes just hours after another fire broke out at Nairobi’s Gikomba Market early Sunday morning, affecting several business premises and causing significant damage.

According to the Kenya Red Cross, the Gikomba fire is believed to have started at around 4 am. Emergency teams were deployed to the scene as part of a multi-agency response to contain the blaze and support those affected.

“The Kenya Red Cross, alongside a multi-agency response team, is on the ground supporting emergency response efforts and assessing the needs of those affected,” the organisation said in a statement.

Authorities had not disclosed the cause of the Gikomba fire, while assessments continued to determine the scale of damage and the number of traders affected. The fire, which is said to have razed property near