Kenya is rapidly developing fire brigade structures that were virtually non-existent until recently. However, they still lack of almost everything: firetrucks, heavy and light equipment, communication systems, training… Support comes from Poland.
By Nikodem Chinowski
Although it is hard to believe, in 2014, in Kenya – then a population of 46 million – only 450 people grouped in 26 fire stations performed the function of firefighters. This gave an average of one firefighter per 102,000 citizens and one fire station per 22,000 sq. km.
The Polish Center for International Aid (PCPM) has been supporting the Kenyan fire brigade structures since 2014. During this time, the number of fire stations across the country increased from 26 to 71, and the number of firefighters from 450 to over 1,500.
However, there is still a lack of almost everything: fire trucks, heavy and light equipment, personal equipment, training, communication systems, and even public awareness of who firefighters are and what they are for. Common knowledge in Kenyan society about the functioning of the fire brigades is still very low, few Kenyans - especially outside of Nairobi - know how to call the relevant services.
“This is slowly changing, we have more and more calls on the phone, while until recently +running calls+ dominated, i.e. calls by running to our firehouse. This change greatly increased our reaction time. Social awareness of our work and the possibilities of providing assistance is low," explains Julius K'Yator, chief of the fire brigade in Nakuru County in western Kenya.
Of the 47 counties that make up Kenya, only 6 regions currently do not have their own fire department. In 2014, there were over 20 such counties.
The position of the fire service in Kenya's public space has significantly improved with the state's administrative reform. Since 2013, administrative reform has been in force, according to which the competencies of the legislative and executive authorities of individual counties have been increased. Each of them has its own budget and broader powers, including the right to form and manage fire brigades.
One of the main effects of the Polish Center for International Aid’s activities in Kenya is the creation of a training center for firefighters in Kiambu in the central part of the country. At the Fire and Rescue Training Center, specialists from Poland teach firefighters and rescuers from Kenya, among others, to use rope techniques, rescue victims of car accidents and use specialized rescue equipment. It is estimated that at the Kiambu training center Poles have already trained 60% of all Kenyan firefighters.
In addition, for 9 years of activity in Kenya, PCPM created from scratch a fire station in Maukeni County in southern Kenya, and also supported several dozen other stations through staff training and the supply of fire equipment.
“Just 10 years ago, our county was 100% dependent on fire departments from Nairobi. Today we have our own fire stations and our own firefighters. The establishment of these units is an important event for our community, not only because public safety is increasing, but also because there are new opportunities for young people to find work,” says Kimani Wamatangi, the governor of Kiambu County, during a visit to the training center.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Poland stressed that such projects build a positive image of Poland in Kenya.
“Poland is among a small group of countries recognized by the local government as donor countries. Thanks to this, we are being invited to meetings with the president and ministers, and we take part in discussions on international aid directed to Kenya,” adds the Polish Ambassador to Kenya, Jacek Bazański.
“When I fell into the well, I didn't believe that anyone would be able to help me. Our firefighters pulled me out thanks to the equipment and training they had previously received from the Poles,” says Hannah Wangan Naju, from the village of Raiyahi in central Kenya.
She is one of many people whose life was saved by local firefighters thanks to training received from specialists from Poland.
The accident happened when a 24-year-old girl was fetching water from an open, unsecured well. The weight of the bucket filled with water overpowered her and dragged her to the bottom of the 30-meter-high well shaft. The accident was noticed by a passing child who informed the adults.
“We received the notification of the accident on the emergency phone, as one of the villagers called. We got there after about 20 minutes - a very quick response time for our conditions. A total of 6 firefighters took part in the action, who used equipment and rope technique. Specialists from Poland taught us how to use this equipment,” says Peter Njega from the fire brigade in Ruiru.
"Without the rope technique, we wouldn't have been able to save this girl. 30 meters is too deep. Sad to say, but we would be helpless,” admits Njega.
The PCPM plans to extend training programs to firefighters and rescuers from other East African countries.
“Ultimately, we want the Kiambu center to be used by firefighters and rescuers from neighboring countries – Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Tanzania,” says the CEO of the PCPM Foundation, Dr. Wojtek Wilk.
The economic situation of the rest of East Africa is even bleaker than that of Kenya. In the World Bank classification – which is an important point of reference for many donor governments – Kenya is already grouped among countries with low-middle income while neighbors - Ethiopia, South Sudan, Somalia, and Uganda - are still classified as low-income countries. At any moment, the flow of money from charities and donor governments could change the tide, leaving Kenya with limited external support.
The annual PCPM budget for activities in Kenya is approx. PLN 1.5 million (USD 0.4 million). In total, since 2014, the Foundation has implemented projects worth approximately PLN 14 million (USD 3.4 million) in Kenya. The funds come from the "Polish Aid" (“Polska Pomoc”) program coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland.
