Kilifi fire department officers face punishment following an accident in which a cow died

Kilifi residents inspects a 64 feet deep pit hole where dairy cow that was grazing around fell into and died. [PHOTO BY JOSEPH MASHA/STANDARD.]

KILIFI COUNTY: At least five fire officers attached to Kilifi county fire fighting department have been summoned to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against them for failing to take save a dairy cow which accidently fell into a 64 foot pit in Kilifi town.

Kilifi County Deputy Governor Mr Kennedy Kamto claimed the officers failed to take their duty seriously something which led to the death of the dairy cow estimated to be worth Sh100,000.

According to the Deputy Governor, the owner of the dairy cow Mr Mohamed Osman called the fire department a few minutes after the accident but they did not act swiftly to rescue the animal.

He said the officers will be disciplined if they do no explain, convincingly what transpired.

"Mohamed Osman, the owner of Texas butcheries in Kilifi lodged a protest to my office indicating that some fire officers in the firefighting department within the county, failed to take appropriate measures to save a dairy cow which had accidently fallen into a 64 foot pit though the owner had informed them early enough, “said Kamto.

Mr Osman said his cow fell in the pit on Monday last week but his attempts to get support from the firefighting personal to save it did not bear fruits due to negligence by the officers.

He said he managed to get the contacts of the firefighting personnel from Administration Police officers attached at the Kilifi county governor residences after his cow fall in the pit that neighbours the governor's residence.

Mr Osman said soon after he made the call, a fire fighting land rover vehicle arrived at the scene with one fighting personnel and the driver.

However, he said the two could not help remove the cow from the pit as it was getting dark and they had no torch to view the animal.

Osman said the two resolved to return to the office to get a torch but on their arrival to scene, another fire officer arrived and told them to stop doing that work as it had no importance at all.

"I am happy a fire fighting officer accompanied by a driver with their fire vehicle arrived at the scene ready to assist me remove by cow but another officer arrived and told them to leave the job as it was useless work,” said Osman.

Mr Osman claims that when he went to the fire station on Tuesday last week he was arrested and detained in a dark room then told to drop the case. His captors accused him of trying to burn county fire vehicle.

However the deputy governor promised to take up the case and ensure justice is done.

"It's a sad story but we are taking up the matter and summon the officers involved in the case so that justice can be found for the butchery operator,” said Kamto.