Dubai High-Rise Fire Kills Three Kenyans, Families Criticise Delayed Emergency Response

A deadly fire that ripped through a 52-story residential building in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, has claimed the lives of five individuals, including three Kenyan nationals

The incident has ignited widespread grief and calls for accountability from both Kenyan and UAE authorities. The fire, which erupted on April 16, has left families in Kenya mourning their loved ones while grappling with unanswered questions about safety protocols and emergency response times. The victims have been identified as Benjamin Kioko Nduda, Kennedy Kamau (familiarly known as DJ Kaama), and Ian Ndungu.

Their deaths have triggered an outpouring of sorrow and demands for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. Benjamin Kioko Nduda, who hailed from Kitengela in Kajiado County, Kenya, is remembered by his family as a devoted and ambitious young man. His mother, Everlyne Nzilani, describes him as a prayer partner and a beacon of hope for the family.

"It's heartbreaking that I couldn't answer his last call when he needed me most," Nzilani said, expressing her anguish at missing her son's desperate call during the blaze. "Benjamin was more than my son; he was my confidant and prayer warrior. He always shared his dreams of creating a better future for our family."

Kioko's father, Antony Muli, voices frustration over the perceived lack of support and communication from the Kenyan government. He says that the family has relied on their own resources and contacts to obtain information since the incident occurred.

"From Sunday to now, we haven't received any updates or official communication from the government," Muli said. "We were forced to reach out to friends in the UAE to find out what happened."

The family learned of Benjamin's death from a friend in the UAE who sent them distressing footage showing the tragic events. Muli shared how Benjamin attempted to escape using a rope installed for building renovations but tragically fell to his death. Kioko's uncle, Stanley Kyalo, criticises the UAE government for what he perceives as a delayed response to the crisis, suggesting that lives could have been saved with timely intervention from emergency responders. 

"We watched in disbelief as the footage showed Benjamin struggling with the rope before he let go and fell," Muli recounted. "He had been making distress calls for over two hours and had tried to reach out to his mother on WhatsApp, but her phone was offline. It's a painful and unimaginable loss."

Initial reports indicate that it took emergency services nearly two hours to adequately respond to the fire, which broke out on the 44th floor of the 52-story building. This delay has raised questions about the preparedness of emergency services and the adequacy of safety protocols in high-rise buildings in Sharjah. Further criticism has been directed toward the building's management and adherence to fire safety regulations. 

Observers have raised concerns about the lack of emergency exits and delays in evacuation efforts. According to Benjamin's family, he attempted to escape the inferno using a rope installed for building renovations. However, he tragically fell to his death after struggling with the rope. Benjamin Kioko Nduda was the family's firstborn son and had pursued a mechanical engineering course at the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) before leaving Kenya for the UAE in February 2024. 

His decision to seek opportunities abroad was driven by the promise of better prospects, but his journey was fraught with challenges from the start. Shortly after arriving in the Middle East, Kioko faced visa-related complications that rendered him jobless. The travel agent who had facilitated his move allegedly abandoned him, forcing Kioko to apply for an alien visa and take on casual contract-based jobs to survive. Despite these obstacles, Kioko remained optimistic and continued to dream big.