Residents and institutions across Kiambu County can now access fire safety training free of charge following the implementation of the Kiambu County Finance Act 2025, a move aimed at strengthening public safety and disaster preparedness at the community level.
Under the new law, the county government has removed fees for community fire safety training conducted by the County Fire and Rescue Service, allowing churches, schools and organisers of public barazas to request the service at no cost.
According to the Finance Act 2025, the revised fee structure lists community fire safety training for groups of up to 50 people as free, marking a policy shift that prioritises prevention and public education over revenue collection.
The training typically covers fire prevention measures, safe evacuation procedures, basic use of fire extinguishers and first-response actions before emergency teams arrive.
The Act formally reduces the cost of community fire safety training from Sh 33,000 to zero, effectively eliminating a financial barrier that had limited access for many institutions and community groups.
The move is intended to make lifesaving fire prevention and response skills accessible to all residents, particularly at the grassroots level where fire incidents are often first encountered.
The waiver follows a pattern of recurring fire incidents in learning institutions, places of worship, markets and residential areas, many of which could be prevented or their impact significantly reduced through basic fire safety awareness and preparedness. With the fee removed, more organisations are expected to proactively engage with the County Fire and Rescue Service.
The fire safety training waiver forms part of broader reforms introduced through the Kiambu County Finance Act 2025, which also restructures and reduces several county fees. The Act adjusts business licence charges, introduces a 12-month licence validity period running from the date of issuance, and provides relief measures targeting traders, landowners and other residents to ease the cost of doing business within the county.
While general community fire safety training has been made free, the Act retains fees for specialised and professional firefighting courses, including advanced fire marshal training and customised programmes for private institutions and industrial facilities, reflecting their technical nature and higher resource requirements.
The initiative is being implemented under the county’s wider public service and economic empowerment framework, which includes programmes focused on safety, skills development and community resilience. The removal of training fees is expected to improve preparedness, promote orderly evacuation during emergencies and reduce panic when fire incidents occur.
Institutions and community groups seeking the free training are required to submit formal requests to the Kiambu County Fire and Rescue Service through established county government channels, as provided for under the Finance Act 2025.
By Grace Naishoo
