Detectives after arsonists who torched critical lands and housing decuments

The detectives will be joining the dots of a mysterious fire that gutted Kisumu County offices that house critical lands and housing document

According to reports seen by this writer, the mysterious fire started at around 3pm at the Housing, Physical Planning, and Urban Development offices.

Kisumu County firefighters had difficulty in accessing the ninth floor of the 16-storey building which has no lift. It took three fire engines to contain the raging fire that threatened to spread to upper floors and adjacent offices located at the Prosperity House.

Detectives said the fire however engulfed the Housing and Urban Development Chief Officer’s office, the accounting section of the department, and the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project offices.

 Kisumu Central Deputy County Commissioner John Cheruiyot said experts secured the scene and collected forensic evidence to unravel the cause of the fire.

 “We cannot tell whether this has been done by arsonists or if it is an electric fault until we conclude the investigations,” he said.

By the time of going to press, the extent of the damage was yet to be fully established as most offices were closed for the weekend.

Last year, County Provident Fund (CPF) rolled out an affordable housing project in Kisumu which was set to develop 1,394 housing units. The Sh3.8 billion project at the old Anderson-Ofafa estate had been set to be completed and ready for occupation in 48 months.

Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o said the project was in line with the county government’s affordable housing and urban renewal programmes. Other old estates, among them Makasembo, Argwings Kodhek, Arina and Lumumba, he said will be flattened to pave way for vertical development of affordable units to meet the growing city’s housing demands.

He cautioned those opposed to the urban renewal programme through filing petitions in court that their days were numbered.

“This bill when enacted will bring down all buildings that were constructed in Kisumu County without following due process of approvals. All in the spirit of making the built environment work towards safety and structural integrity of the buildings,” he said.

Located along Ngumbi road in Kisumu City, the project according to the architect Peter Wasilwa, will comprise 108 one-bedroom units, 717 two-bedroom units and 96 three-bedroom units. The units, he said will be sold at an introductory price of Sh1.5 million (one bedroom), Sh2.5 million (two bedroom) and Sh 3.5 million (three bedroom).

For the one-bedroom units, he said priority will be given to the about 200 people who resided at the old estate.
The project, he added, will also come with premium two-bedroom and three-bedroom units to be sold at an introductory price of Sh3.5 and Sh4.5 million respectively.