A dormitory at the Thika Children Rescue Centre was reduced to ashes after a fire broke out yesterday afternoon, destroying property of unknown value but leaving all children safe.
The blaze, which broke out when the children were attending classes in the nearby Thika Barracks Primary and Garrison Secondary schools, destroyed mattresses, clothing, and other essential supplies.
Only a few mattresses were salvaged from the dormitory, which housed 44 children.
Authorities said the cause of the fire remains unknown, with preliminary observation suggesting that it may have been caused by an electric fault.
Principal Secretary in the State Department for Children Welfare Services, Carren Ageng’o who visited the centre later in the evening to assess the extent of the damage and coordinate immediate support for the affected children described the incident as deeply concerning, noting that it occurred barely weeks after similar fire incidents were reported in other children’s homes across the country.
“The destruction is extensive. Mattresses, clothing, and other basic necessities have been completely burnt,” she said, assuring that the government would move swiftly to safeguard the children’s welfare.
She urged county governments and institutions managing children’s facilities to prioritise fire safety by installing functional firefighting equipment and strengthening emergency response systems.
“This incident is a reminder that safety measures must be taken seriously, particularly in institutions caring for vulnerable children,” Ageng’o added.
Thika MP Alice Ng’ang’a who had accompanied the PS said the fire underscored the urgent need to modernise the ageing facility, which she noted dates back to the colonial era.
“The infrastructure here is old, and this incident highlights the necessity for redevelopment,” the legislator said.
She revealed that proposals had already been submitted through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to upgrade the rescue centre and expressed optimism that collaboration with the national government would accelerate the process.
“We are engaging relevant ministries, including the housing department, to explore the construction of modern, safer structures,” Ng’ang’a said.
Despite the destruction, officials confirmed that all children were accounted for, with temporary arrangements being made to ensure minimal disruption to their accommodation and daily routines.
Investigations to establish the cause of the fire is underway.
By Muoki Charles
