By Alloys Musyoka

Panic gripped the Kwale County Assembly and neighboring government institutions today after a midday fire broke out, destroying the facility's solar power equipment room.

The incident sent workers at the adjacent Kwale Law Courts and Kwale Water and sewerage company scampering for safety as smoke engulfed the solar panel room.

While some assembly staff fled the building, others tried in vain to battle the blaze before official help arrived. Assembly staff had to quickly drive out all the vehicles from the fire scene for safety.

Witness Accounts

Bakari Katana, a local bodaboda operator who witnessed the incident from outside the Kwale Law Courts, reported hearing a loud bang before the smoke appeared.

"We heard a sound coming from the assembly premises but initially thought it was just a falling car," Katana told Coast Times Digital. "Thirty minutes later, we saw huge columns of smoke. When we rushed inside, the solar panels were already being reduced to ashes, which terrified everyone in the neighboring offices."

Another witness, Joyce Jambi, who was attending a session at the Kwale Law Courts, urged the county to investigate its electrical installations to prevent future losses.

Fire Response and Equipment Shortages

The cause of the fire remains unknown. While firefighters ultimately contained the blaze before it could spread to neighboring buildings, the incident has renewed intense public scrutiny over the county’s lack of firefighting equipment.

Bakari Mkumbuka Banzi, Chair of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Kwale Chapter, commended the rapid response but stressed the urgency of upgrading local disaster management.

"This is a rare incident; a fire involving solar panels is likely a first for this area," Banzi stated. "We have seen the county's commitment in the budget to purchase two new fire engines. We are now calling for that procurement process to be expedited."

Government Commitment

Governor Fatuma Achani’s administration has reassured residents that plans are already underway to acquire two new fire engines, noting that the county's previous equipment is currently out of service. Governor Achani reiterated her administration's commitment to securing all government installations and private business premises against future disasters.