Videos and images shared widely on social media showed the structure fully engulfed in flames, with dark grey and black smoke billowing from the upper floors.
The fire appeared to spread rapidly across balconies and external walls, overwhelming the building within minutes.
One of the most alarming aspects of the incident was the involvement of a high-voltage power line running adjacent to the building.
The electrical cables were seen sparking violently, releasing bright orange flames and molten debris that dropped toward the ground, further escalating the danger and complicating evacuation efforts.
Despite the intensity of the blaze, the surrounding area remained unusually active. While some residents watched helplessly from a safe distance, others rushed to move vehicles away from the fire scene, fearing explosions or falling debris.
Business activity in nearby premises was briefly disrupted as fear spread through the neighbourhood.
As of the time of publication, no casualties had been reported, and there was no official confirmation of injuries or fatalities.
However, the absence of emergency response teams at the early stages of the fire raised serious concern among residents and online observers.
Local authorities were yet to arrive at the scene, and the cause of the fire remained unknown.
Witnesses said the fire intensified quickly, possibly fueled by electrical faults and the building’s proximity to exposed power infrastructure.
Residents expressed frustration over what they described as a delayed emergency response, a recurring issue in several fire incidents across Nairobi.
The Kasarani fire adds to a growing list of destructive blazes reported in the area over the past few years.
On October 25, 2025, a tragic fire broke out on the fourth floor of an apartment in the Mwiki area of Kasarani, claiming the lives of a 30-year-old woman and her three-year-old son.
The victims reportedly died from carbon monoxide poisoning after being rushed to hospital.
In another incident in October 2017, a residential block near Kasarani Police Station caught fire following a gas cylinder explosion.
A police officer sustained injuries, and property worth millions of shillings was destroyed.
Earlier, on April 14, 2018, a fire extensively damaged the Shell petrol station in Kasarani, located opposite Naivas Supermarket.
According to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), the blaze was caused when a motorist drove off with the fuel nozzle still inside the vehicle’s tank, igniting the inferno.
The latest fire has reignited criticism against the Nairobi County Government over persistent failures in fire response and emergency preparedness.
Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration has faced mounting pressure from residents and civil society groups to address slow response times, inadequate equipment, and insufficient fire stations.
Public anger previously erupted following the Toi Market fire in August 2024, which killed four people.
Traders confronted Governor Sakaja during a visit, accusing the county of broken promises and delayed rescue operations.
In December 2025, a devastating fire in Mathare destroyed more than 2,000 homes and claimed the life of a child.
Reports indicated that the county fire engine arrived six hours later and lacked water, further intensifying public outrage.
In response to criticism, the county government has announced plans to establish three additional fire stations, particularly targeting informal settlements.
Authorities say more firefighters have been recruited, and investments in modern firefighting equipment are underway to improve emergency response.
Residents are reminded to report fire emergencies using Nairobi County’s official hotlines: 1508, 020-2222-181, or 020-2344-599.
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