By A, KNA
Kiambu County played host to a high-level delegation from Turkana County for a benchmarking tour at the Kiambu Fire and Rescue Training School.
The visit was aimed at strengthening inter-county collaboration and knowledge-sharing in disaster management, fire response, and rescue operations.
The delegation, led by CECM Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Area Management Ms. Faith Aletia and Chief Officer Mr. Peter Lomorukai, was received by senior Kiambu officials including Chief Fire Officer Mr. Samuel Kahura and Chief Officer for County Utilities Ms. Virginia Kahonge.
During the visit, the Turkana team was taken through different practical demonstrations ranging from fire suppression to collapsed building rescue exercises. The drills were conducted by the Kiambu Fire Brigade, which is recognized as one of the most well-trained teams in the country. The officials had the opportunity to learn about modern firefighting equipment, advanced rescue techniques, and the organizational framework that has enabled Kiambu to position itself as a leader in emergency preparedness.
Ms. Faith Aletia, who led the Turkana delegation, praised Kiambu’s commitment to investing in modern equipment and training. “What we have witnessed here is a true model of excellence. We are eager to replicate some of these practices in Turkana so that our people can also benefit from better disaster preparedness,” she noted.
Kiambu Fire and Rescue Training School has earned a reputation as a Centre of Excellence, boasting a state-of-the-art facility that has so far trained more than 1,000 fire officers since its inception. By investing in skills development and modern equipment, the county has enhanced its capacity to respond swiftly to emergencies, thereby protecting lives and property.
Chief Fire Officer Mr. Samuel Kahura said the visit reflected the growing recognition of Kiambu as a national hub for firefighting excellence. “We have so far trained over 1,000 officers from different counties, and our goal is to continue building capacity across the country to save more lives during emergencies,” he said.
Speaking during the tour, Kiambu officials emphasized the importance of inter-county collaboration in building safer communities across Kenya. The Turkana delegation expressed appreciation for the warm reception and valuable insights gained, noting that the experience would inform efforts to establish and strengthen their own fire and rescue capacity.
The benchmarking visit highlighted the crucial role of counties working together to share knowledge, build resilience, and ensure effective disaster response nationwide.