KYUMBI – Machakos County has launched the new fire and rescue center in Kyumbi, adding a sixth facility to its emergency response network. The station sits along the heavily trafficked Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, a key corridor where accidents and emergencies are common.
Governor Wavinya Ndeti led the launch on Thursday, describing the development as a critical improvement in protecting lives and property in the region.
“The Kyumbi Fire Station stands out as a symbol of what collaboration, purpose, and determination can achieve,” Ndeti said during the unveiling. “This is a game changer in our emergency response and a reaffirmation of my government’s commitment to efficiency during unforeseen circumstances.”
The facility will operate around the clock. Services include fire response, rescue operations, trauma counseling, and connections to long-term medical or psychological care.
Governor Ndeti credited the project’s success to support from key development partners. These included Purple Dot, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the Kenya Red Cross. She said their contributions had helped strengthen emergency preparedness in the county.
“The support from our partners has been instrumental,” she said. “It’s proof that working together can deliver real, life-saving impact for our people.”
Machakos County now operates six emergency centers, part of a growing infrastructure to reduce response times and improve safety outcomes. The Kyumbi location was chosen for its strategic importance as a gateway between Nairobi and the coast.
Officials say the new center will also support surrounding communities, not just highway users. Local leaders expressed confidence that the investment would help reduce loss of life during road accidents, fires, and other crises.
Governor Ndeti has emphasized emergency preparedness as a key focus of her administration, often pointing to the growing population and expanding development as reasons for scaling up services.
The county plans to open additional emergency centers in the future as part of broader efforts to improve health and safety systems across the region.
