Traders decry Migori's lack of firefighting equipment

Migori, Kenya: Migori County business community has decried numerous losses caused by lack of firefighting equipment in the entire area.

Speaking in Migori town on Saturday, the traders said they continue to suffer losses running into millions of shillings due to cases of fire.

"We are concerned that cases of fire are reported across the county on a regular basis but nothing is being done about it. It is important that the county government acts immediately to avoid further losses," said Chairman of Kenya National Chamber of Commerce, Migori chapter, Samwel Rumo.

He said it was unfortunate that the county is still relying on private companies like Sony Sugar and Kenya Commercial Bank for the machines.

He was speaking after a fire incident which occurred at the weekend at a petrol station in Sori town, when a lorry burst into flames in what is suspected to have been due to an engine fault.

No one was injured during the incident after local residents quickly put out the fire. The Social Development office in Migori town was also burnt down recently.

This took place weeks after disaster management professionals from Germany urged Migori county government to allocate more resources for disaster management and preparedness.

Speaking in Migori town, the group said it was important that the county invests more in disaster preparedness.

"Lack of firefighting equipment and lifesaving skills is a disaster in waiting," said Land Aid Organisation's Ms Carola Gerhadinga.