Fire Burns Kisumu Juakali Area

A section of Kisumu juakali area was reduced to ashes on Monday night with property running into millions of shillings destroyed.

The chairman of Uganda juakali area Mark Odero says the early morning fire consumed three vehicles that were under repair.

Odero says nothing was salvaged in the inferno that took fire fighters almost three hours to contain the fire.

Speaking to the press at the scene of the fire, Odero appealed to well wishers to come to their aid to start a fresh.

The cause of the fire remains unknown but an artisan James Ochieng alleged that it was caused by people who want them out of that area.

Ochieng says they have witnessed such fires before and called upon the county government to erect water hydrants in the area to help in cases of such calamities.

He says the county has been reluctant to address their plight noting that it takes fire fighters long time to refill their tanks in town.

CAS East Africa Countries Ken Obura visited the juakali artisans and donated 150 iron sheets and nails to rebuild the area.

Obura says he is ready at any time to help the artisans while in need.

He says the artisans should be given space to carry out their activities without being harassed.