Mathare Fires Leaves 500 homeless

 

 Close to five hundred families were left homeless in Mathare after their houses burned down in two separate incidents.The Tuesday fires started at 2am at Kosovo and at 11.30am at Mathare''s 4B area. Their causes were not immediately established but sources blamed illegal power connections.No deaths were reported in the two incidents but no property was salvaged from the razed iron sheet shanties.Hospital ward MCA George ochola cautioned the residents against illegal power connections. He said they have been the causes of many fire incidents in Nairobi's slum areas.He also urged the residents not to build shanties on the roads."The fire fighters could not access the scene promptly because of houses on a section of the road," he said.He promised the affected families humanitarian assistance.Starehe OCPD Baraza Wabomba refused to comment when he was contacted.

Courtesy: The Star Online Newspaper

Close to five hundred families were left homeless in Mathare after their houses burned down in two separate incidents.
The Tuesday fires started at 2am at Kosovo and at 11.30am at Mathare''s 4B area. Their causes were not immediately established but sources blamed illegal power connections.
No deaths were reported in the two incidents but no property was salvaged from the razed iron sheet shanties.
Hospital ward MCA George ochola cautioned the residents against illegal power connections. He said they have been the causes of many fire incidents in Nairobi's slum areas.
He also urged the residents not to build shanties on the roads.
"The fire fighters could not access the scene promptly because of houses on a section of the road," he said.
He promised the affected families humanitarian assistance.
Starehe OCPD Baraza Wabomba refused to comment when he was contacted.
- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-192027/mathare-fires-leave-500-homeless#sthash.8ZGdNOHq.dpuf

Fire destroys houses at Halai Estate, South C in Nairobi

Four houses were razed by a huge fire at Halai Estate in South C, Nairobi, on Thursday evening. Residents said the fire started at around 8.30pm in one of the houses and spread over the roofs of three other houses. No casualties were reported. Firefighters arrived about 30 minutes later in three trucks and were later joined by another truck from the National Youth Service a few minutes past 10pm. Ms Leila Abdi, whose house was affected, managed to salvage some of her household items. She said: “We thought it was a neighbour lighting a jiko, as we could smell plastic burning, but in a short while smoke filled our house and we rushed out.”

POWER DISCONNECTED

The owners of the other three houses could not be traced for comment. On standby were paramedics from the Kenya Red Cross, area police officers and Kenya Power staff, who disconnected the power supply shortly after the fire began, to avert further damage. The fire, whose cause is unknown, was contained by around 10.30pm before it could spread to the fifth house. In its wake, it left clouds of smoke that choked crowds that had gathered to witness the inferno. The scene also had pools of water that spilled from the water trucks as the fire was being put out.

Courtesy Nation Online Newspaper

At least 40 Ulanda Secondary School students injured in stampede after power surge

At least 40 students from Ulanda Girls High School in Migori County were injured in a stampede on Friday night following explosion in their classrooms caused by a power surge.

The power surge caused electricity lines in form two and three classrooms to spark and start a fire.

The students ran out of the classrooms in panic and some fell on the floor sustaining injuries.

The school security head Mr James Odhiambo, said the 8pm incident caused a minor fire that was put out.

“We managed to evacuate all of them, though some with minor injuries,” he added.

The school's Principal Ms Syprose Mary Atieno said they managed to contain the fire before it spread and no property was burnt.

“There is no cause for alarm and parents should be rest assured that their daughters are safe,” she said.

Some parents and villagers Saturday flocked the school to find out the condition of the students.

The injured were treated at the school's clinic.

Courtesy: Nation Online Newspaper

EU and Kenya partner to build Sh5.7 billion disaster response centre in Nairobi

KENYA is set to benefit from a multi-billion ultra-modern regional center for countering chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks in a bid to enhance security and disaster response in the region.
The center, the eighth in the world, will be funded by the European Union at a cost of Sh5.7 billion.
EU ambassador to Kenya Lodewijk Briet said the center to be established in Nairobi is part of a broader security cooperation strategy among the EU, Kenya and the region.
The strategy includes countering violent extremism, the reduction of small arms, tackling piracy through an EU naval force in the Indian Ocean and developing stability in the horn of Africa.
"A year after the Westgate tragedy and with current threats like Ebola, and in partnership with Kenya, I am pleased to confirm the go-ahead for this important facility, which will improve security and disaster response across the region," Briet said in a statement issued in Nairobi.
"This demonstrates our support to our close ally, Kenya, on critical security issues that matter to a rapidly developing and globalising country and region," he said.
The establishment of the new center comes amid increased terror attacks in the country.
Briet also said a review of all Kenyan legislation concerning the storage, transport and security of hazardous chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear materials is expected to be undertaken by the center.
"Working in coordination with a number of ministries and agencies, the center will train officials across nine African countries in critical security and safety issues, including legislating dual-use chemicals, tackling pandemics such as Ebola, and handling terrorist attacks," Briet said.
He said the EU will soon conduct a needs assessment for procurement of specialist equipment for detecting hazardous materials.
Other countries that will be involved in the center include Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-191294/eu-and-kenya-partner-build-sh57-billion-disaster-response-centre-nairobi#sthash.mePPkkKt.dpuf

KENYA is set to benefit from a multi-billion ultra-modern regional center for countering chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks in a bid to enhance security and disaster response in the region.  The center, the eighth in the world, will be funded by the European Union at a cost of Sh5.7 billion.  EU ambassador to Kenya Lodewijk Briet said the center to be established in Nairobi is part of a broader security cooperation strategy among the EU, Kenya and the region.  

The strategy includes countering violent extremism, the reduction of small arms, tackling piracy through an EU naval force in the Indian Ocean and developing stability in the horn of Africa.  "A year after the Westgate tragedy and with current threats like Ebola, and in partnership with Kenya, I am pleased to confirm the go-ahead for this important facility, which will improve security and disaster response across the region," Briet said in a statement issued in Nairobi.  

"This demonstrates our support to our close ally, Kenya, on critical security issues that matter to a rapidly developing and globalising country and region," he said.  The establishment of the new center comes amid increased terror attacks in the country.  Briet also said a review of all Kenyan legislation concerning the storage, transport and security of hazardous chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear materials is expected to be undertaken by the center.  "Working in coordination with a number of ministries and agencies, the center will train officials across nine African countries in critical security and safety issues, including legislating dual-use chemicals, tackling pandemics such as Ebola, and handling terrorist attacks," Briet said.  

He said the EU will soon conduct a needs assessment for procurement of specialist equipment for detecting hazardous materials.  Other countries that will be involved in the center include Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

Courtesy: The Star Newspaper Online

SEMINAR: The Role of Employees in Crisis and Disaster Management : November 27& 28 2014

SEMINAR: The Role of Employees in Crisis and Disaster Management

Summary:

Duration                     :           Two (2) days (27^th – 28^th November, 2014)

Venue                          :           Methodist Guest House and Conference Center, Nairobi

Cost                             :           Kshs.75, 000 + VAT for the two days

1.0 Why you should attend this seminar

Managers and employees are faced with a variety of concerns on disaster management. It is crucial for supervisors to know how to respond to employees concerns while maintaining the effectiveness of their work group and agencies. Employees need to be prepared to respond to disasters that may strike whether natural or human-made as the overwhelming forces of a disaster can have far reaching effects workers and the organization as a whole. This training brings to life the challenges of managing disasters in Kenya and outlines the key management principles of planning, organizing, coordinating and leading so that you can take on the role of a disaster management professional.

1.2 Objectives

By the end of the training programme, the participants will be able:

·         To understand the importance of Workplace Emergency Preparedness Program

·         To identify hazards (man-made emergencies) that causes accidents in workplace

·         To know how to use the available fire protection at workplace

·         To determine the structure of who will do and what to do during emergency situations

·         To assess company safety performance through understanding and formulation of Loss Prevention Program

·         To deepen participants’ theoretical and practical understanding of issues involved in the management of workplace crises and mass disasters

·         To increase participants’ capacity for innovative planning and implementation of policy in response to crises and mass disasters

·         Have comprehensive knowledge to the participants on disaster preparedness, mitigation and rehabilitation.

·         To carry out common risk assessment and vulnerability analysis.

·         Develop communication skills for disaster preparedness.

1.3 Course Content

Role of employees in Crises and Disaster Management

Basics of crisis and disaster management

Obligations of the organizations imposed by Kenyan law

The crisis and disaster management stages

Establishing crisis and disaster management teams

The role of workplace crisis and disaster management manager

Emergency response scenarios during disaster management

Developing a contingency plan

The workplace safety and disaster management checklist

The workplace vulnerability and risk assessment

Innovative planning and policy implementation

Formulation of workplace loss prevention programme

Role of ICT in disaster management

Communication skills for disaster preparedness

1.4 Who will benefit from our crisis and disaster management training

·         Private sector organizations

·         Central Government

·         County government employees

·         Charities and NGOs

·         Regional Offices

·         Staff working in Insurance industry

·         Staff in the microfinance and banking sector

·         Staff with a leadership role in crisis

·         Staff responsible for crisis communications and media handling

·         Staff new to crisis management roles or needing a refresher

·         Crisis and Disaster managers, Risk managers ,Development officers ,Fire Department Personnel, Police officers ,Health officers ,Traffic and county security personnel, Town planners, NGO staff, Private security and rescue companies

FOR BOOKING FILL THE FORMS ATTACHED OR CALL US

Fire razes part of Aberdare forest in Nyeri

 

 A huge fire has consumed part of Aberdare forest in Nyeri County .The fire, which started early Saturday morning at Embaringo side of Kieni East sub- county, is said to be consuming a large part of the forest which is endangering wild animals, birds and other micro-organisms.

Mt. Kenya and Aberdare Ecosystem Conservator Francis Mathinji said the fire which started few hours ago can be spotted many kilometers away .Mr. Mathinji told The Star on the phone game rangers from Kenya Wildlife Service, officers from Kenya Forest Service, police and community members have been mobilized to visit the area in order to put it off.Such a huge fire consumed much acreage of grasses at Moorland two years ago at the same area .The cause of the fire was not immediately established. The fire might continue for several days since the area is windy which causes fire to spread fast and lack of good equipment to fight forest fire.- 

Courtesy of The Star Kenya - Online

A huge fire has consumed part of Aberdare forest in Nyeri County .
The fire, which started early Saturday morning at Embaringo side of Kieni East sub- county, is said to be consuming a large part of the forest which is endangering wild animals, birds and other micro-organisms.
Mt. Kenya and Aberdare Ecosystem Conservator Francis Mathinji said the fire which started few hours ago can be spotted many kilometers away .
Mathinji told The Star on the phone game rangers from Kenya Wildlife Service, officers from Kenya Forest Service, police and community members have been mobilized to visit the area in order to put it off.
Such a huge fire consumed much acreage of grasses at Moorland two years ago at the same area .
The cause of the fire was not immediately established. The fire might continue for several days since the area is windy which causes fire to spread fast and lack of good equipment to fight forest fire.
- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-189899/fire-razes-part-aberdare-forest-nyeri#sthash.qgL1t2qE.dpuf

Third Arson Attack brings down dormitory in Homa Bay Boys High School

Learning has been paralysed at Homa Bay High School following a fire tragedy that destroyed students' property in one of the dormitories. About 100 students lost their property in fire which broke out at 7am. The students had left their property intact as they attended their assembly gathering but were surprised when their dormitory caught fire a few minutes later. Efforts by students and community members to put out the fire proved futile as the building had been engulfed by the inferno. 

 

No property was salvaged from the incident. The first students who arrived at the scene reported to have seen someone escaping but their efforts to get hold of him failed because he immediately boarded a motorbike and disappeared. The incident brings to three the number of dormitories which have been burnt down within the last two months. Close to three quarters of the over 1000 students of the school held a peaceful demonstration to towards Got Rabuor estate of Homa Bay town to signify their dissatisfaction with the incidents.

Last Friday night, another dormitory was burnt with all property inside. During the incident, another person was seen running away from the scene before a used match box was found. The school also lost another dormitory in July this year in a fire tragedy. Homa Bay Principal Andrew Buop called on the learners and the locals to provide him with information which may enhance investigations into the matter.

Courtesy: The standard online, Kenya