Nairobi, Sept. 8 — A massive fire tore through a garage complex off Ole Dume Road in Kilimani overnight into Monday, reducing dozens of vehicles to burnt-out shells and leaving mechanics counting millions of shillings in losses.
Emergency crews battled the blaze for more than four hours before bringing it under control, hampered by the presence of vehicles, petrol and other highly flammable materials packed into the busy garage. The Nairobi County Disaster Management Centre coordinated the response alongside disaster management officers, residents and mechanics who scrambled to salvage what they could.
The garage, which reportedly employs more than 200 mechanics, bore the brunt of the damage, with tools, spare parts and mechanic stalls destroyed alongside the vehicles. Officials described it as a difficult night for mechanics and vehicle owners alike, though the full scale of the financial losses had not been established by the time of reporting. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains unknown, with investigations ongoing.
The blaze has reignited concerns over fire safety in Nairobi’s informal garage clusters, with residents questioning why such fires keep recurring in the city. Critics point to a familiar set of hazards: densely packed flammable materials in poorly designed spaces, weak electrical wiring, unsafe fuel and oil storage, minimal separation between work stalls, and narrow lanes that block fire truck access. They also cite a broader pattern of under-resourced county fire services, ageing equipment and inconsistent inspection enforcement that leaves informal garages operating without updated fire extinguishers or regular safety checks.
Monday’s fire was one of several reported across the country that day, including a separate blaze at Kibuye Market in Kisumu.