By Robert Segawa
The Police Director for Fire and Rescue Services, AIGP Steven Tanui, has issued a stern warning to the public about blocking roads for fire trucks, stressing that such delays can result in fatalities. Speaking at the release of the police annual crime report at the Police Headquarters in Naguru, Tanui highlighted that while fire incidents increased by 13.8% in 2024, 90% of these fires were successfully extinguished.
However, Tanui pointed out a critical issue: motorists failing to give fire trucks right of way, leading to delays in their response. “The right of way is key. Let us respect rescue vehicles. If you see a fire tender or bowser responding to an emergency, open up the road so they can go and save lives. Any delay is death,” he stressed.
Tanui also made an emotional appeal, saying, “Imagine we are rushing to save a person who has fallen into a pit latrine, dam, or pond, and you refuse to give way. That person will die because of your stubbornness.”
In addition to urging better road cooperation, Tanui called on the public to focus more on fire prevention, rather than waiting for an outbreak. He noted that in 2024, the fire department successfully managed 1,150 fire cases, with 120 being handled before the fire trucks arrived and 10 cases later confirmed to be false.
The report further revealed that 67% of fires occurred between 0600hrs and 1200hrs, while 33% were reported between 0001hrs and 0600hrs. Most of the fires were in residential buildings (300 cases), followed by makeshift structures (250 cases). Notably, there was a 9% increase in school fires, from 50 cases in 2023 to 55 cases in 2024.
Tanui concluded his remarks by stressing the importance of fire safety and prevention measures to reduce the number of incidents in the coming year.
