A family in Gitaru, Kiambu County, is counting heavy losses after a fire sparked by fireworks razed their home on New Year’s Eve, turning a night of celebration into a moment of distress and uncertainty. The incident has renewed concerns about the dangers of unregulated fireworks, especially when handled around children.
Joyce Erusa, one of the affected family members, recounted how the fire began inside their bedroom after a child attempted to light a fireworks-producing item. According to her, matches had been left on a table, making it easy for the child to access them without supervision.
“Kiberiti ilikuwa hapo kwa meza, sasa akawakisha hiyo yenye, kulikuwa na kadogo kenye alikuwa nako kumbe aliwakishia huku bedroom. Sasa mimi nikaskia kitu ikifanya tu. Dakika kidogo tena nikaskia ingine. Arufu ya moshi sasa nikaanza kuskia kitu inachomeka,” she said. “Sasa mimi nikaskia kitu ikifanya tu. Dakika kidogo tena nikaskia ingine. Arufu ya moshi sasa nikaanza kuskia kitu inachomeka.”
At first, Erusa did not immediately realize where the danger was coming from. She explained that she went to the kitchen, assuming that might be the source, only to find everything in order.
“Nikaingia jikoni kwanza nikapata jikoni kuko clear. Sasa vile niliingia bedroom dio nikapata mattress imeshika moto.”
By the time she noticed the burning mattress, the fire had already grown beyond what she could manage alone. She rushed outside to seek help from neighbors, but the intensity of the flames made rescue efforts nearly impossible.
“Nikajaribu vile nitazima nikatoka nje mbio nikaambia jirani yangu nikatoka nikakutana na mwanaume mwingine hapo nikamwambia akuje anisaidie kwangu kumewaka moto. Kufika huyo mwanaume akaniambia ‘hakuna vile nitakusaidia hii moto ni mingi.’”
How did the fire affect the family?
The fire spread rapidly, consuming household items within minutes and leaving the family with nothing salvaged. Erusa described the emotional toll of watching everything they owned burn, especially at a time when they were preparing to take their child to school.
“Juu vile nilirudi hivi kujaribu kuingia niokoe vitu, moshi ikanipiga nikaona nitazirai. Tulikuwa tumejipanga tupeleke mtoto shule, vitu zote zimechomekea kwa nyumba hatujui tutaanzia wapi. Ndio mwaka imeanza, yani sijielewi. Hatujielewi tutaanzia wapi. Mkipenda tu mtusaidie. Chochote chenye mtakuwa nacho,” Erusa said.
Her husband, Lawrence Njoroge, echoed the pain of starting the year with such a devastating loss. He explained that the fire had left his entire nuclear family without even basic necessities.
“Mimi mwaka wangu umeanza vibaya sababu, kwa nuclear family yangu, mimi nikiwa baba, na bibi na watoto. Umeanza vibaya kwa sababu hakuna mtu ako na kitu ata kidogo,” he said.
What are authorities saying about fireworks safety?
Local administrators and national authorities have since weighed in on the incident. Senior Chief James Gitau called for stricter measures, including removing fireworks from retail shelves to reduce the risk posed to children.
“I think it’s recommendable that the fireworks will be removed from the shelves so that we avoid children continuing buying them,” he said.
The tragedy comes shortly after Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja issued public warnings ahead of New Year celebrations. Kanja urged Kenyans to exercise caution when using fireworks and emphasized that they should only be handled by licensed operators with proper approvals. He also reminded parents to closely monitor their children during celebrations and urged entertainment venues to comply with safety regulations.
“Unregulated use poses serious risks, including fires, injuries, and unnecessary panic. Let us celebrate in a manner that does not endanger others or disturb the public peace,” Kanja said.
As the family in Gitaru seeks help to rebuild their lives, the incident stands as a reminder of how quickly celebrations can turn tragic when safety is overlooked.
By Lucky Anyanje