Diani, Kenya — A fierce blaze tore through a row of businesses in Diani, Kwale County, on Wednesday, leaving millions of shillings in losses and exposing glaring gaps in local emergency response.
The fire began near an electricity pole in the Millennium area before spreading quickly through adjoining shops, traders said. Within hours, property worth millions was reduced to ash.
“We lost everything in minutes,” said Joseph Mwangi, a shop owner who watched helplessly as the flames engulfed his stock. “If fire trucks had come sooner, some of us might have been spared.”
Witnesses said the response was hampered by a shortage of fire engines. By the time firefighters arrived, much of the damage had already been done.
Residents voiced frustration at what they see as years of neglect. “Kwale County has failed to prepare for emergencies,” said Amina Suleiman, a local trader. “We need more equipment, more personnel. This can’t keep happening.”
The county government has yet to release an official statement, though senior officials have previously acknowledged limited resources in the fire department.
Experts warn the tragedy reflects a wider problem across many Kenyan counties, where rapid urban growth has outpaced investment in emergency services.
For now, dozens of traders in Diani are left to reckon with their losses, some vowing to rebuild, others unsure how to start again.
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