The last major fire in Malindi was dated 10 April 2019, but since then unfortunately nothing has changed in terms of safety in such emergencies.
Despite assurances from Kilifi County, once again during the flames in a town where for many reasons, especially the presence of dry palm tree roofs, propagation can be expected, the town Fire Brigade was found unprepared and it was necessary to call (thanks to private citizens, in this case the company Global Service) the Fire Brigade from Malindi International Airport, just as during the Casuarina fire two years ago the first vehicle to show up even came from Kilifi.
Faced with this unfortunate and worrying situation, about which citizens should protest with unity and determination, we must instead record the solidarity and help of many volunteers and public and private entities.
First and foremost the staff of Oasis Village, Key Park, Harbour, Coral Key, Yachting, Happy Site, Blue Key and Lawfords. Those of Spark Security, Sentry and Global Service who also provided the pumps to take water from the pools with the cooperation of Lawfords and Blue Key.
Thanks must also go to the Malindi Police who promptly came to the scene to prevent as much as possible episodes of looting, which at Oasis Village have been minimized by the same residents living in the structure and some families currently on holiday in the residence with their employees.
As always in such cases, the damage will be counted and the question will arise as to whether, as in the case of surveillance services, a private fire brigade service should be considered for a fee.
Alternatively, thought will have to be given to eliminating one of the symbols of Malindi, at least as far as structures with many cottages and houses nearby are concerned, namely the makuti, the roofs of dried palm trees that are characteristic but perhaps unsuited to progress and urbanisation.