Uasin Gishu Moves to Boost Firefighting Capacity with Modern Equipment

The County Government of Uasin Gishu has intensified efforts to strengthen disaster response capabilities by upgrading firefighting equipment and enhancing the skills of its fire brigade team.

The county’s firefighting unit has continued to earn praise for its efficiency, recording an average emergency response time of between 15 and 25 minutes across Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Trans Nzoia counties.

Under the leadership of Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii, the county government has prioritized investments aimed at improving disaster preparedness, response efficiency, and service delivery.

On Wednesday, the Chief Officer for Roads, Mr. Geoffrey Tanui, held talks with a delegation from SANY Company, a global distributor of firefighting equipment, to explore the acquisition of modern fire engines for Eldoret City and its environs. The delegation was led by Mr. Gao Michael, alongside Director Titus Mutei and Regional Marketing Manager Ms. Billia Makena.

“Eldoret is now a city and requires state-of-the-art fire engines and equipment. As a county, we are making deliberate efforts to ensure the fire department is adequately equipped and strengthened to meet the growing demand,” Mr. Tanui said.

During the meeting, county officials outlined key priorities, including reliable equipment supply, maintenance support, availability of spare parts, after-sales service, training of personnel, cost-effectiveness, technical support, and long-term knowledge transfer.

The SANY delegation emphasized the need for modern firefighting equipment complemented by continuous training to enhance operational effectiveness. They noted that investing in advanced technology plays a critical role in safeguarding lives and property while improving public confidence in emergency services.

“We are ready to offer training to your team as a value-added service to ensure smooth operations. Modern equipment is essential for improved public safety, reduced loss of life and property, and enhancement of the county’s image,” Ms. Makena said.

The engagement marks another step in Uasin Gishu County’s ongoing commitment to building a robust and responsive disaster management system aligned with the needs of a rapidly growing urban population.