Governor donates food to fire victims #kenya

THE Isiolo county government yesterday donated food to families who lost their property in a fire in Belgesh, Garba-Tulla on Friday afternoon. This comes a day after subcounty disaster committees held a crisis meeting on the plight of more than 90 families whose houses and shops were destroyed by the fire. Isiolo Governor Godana Doyo, through his newly appointed chief of staff Abdikadir Suleiman, donated cooking oil, maize flour, sugar, salt, tea leaves and rice to the family. The families also received mosquito nets, blankets, tents and utensils from the Kenya Red Cross. Women got clothes and money from the governor's wife Madina Jarso and Senator Mohamed Kuti. Doyo consoled the affected families and pledged to establish a rescue centre to respond to disaster in the county. He said the county is in the process of acquiring new fire fighting equipment to help avert such disasters in the area. Doyo said the establishment of the disaster rescue centre will help in managing some of the challenges faced by the county in combating fire, drought and accidents. "We are going to employ staff, secure ambulances and fire fighting machines in order to respond to such tragedies," said the governor Area chiefs led by Gafarsa location's Adan Abgudo mobilised residents in salvaging some of the property that was not destroyed by the fire. They also encouraged residents to donate household items and jerrycans to the homeless families. Abgudo told the press that the fire caught the residents by surprise. He said they were at market centres. Abgudo said the fire started in a makeshift house that serves as a shop and spread to 90 other houses. He said efforts by locals to put out the fire and salvage their property was hampered by strong winds. "I was shocked because almost all the property including clothes, bedding, food, motor bikes, documents and money were destroyed as families scrambled for safety," said the chief.