Modern Furniture Pacific’s CEO Gibson Murage has revealed concerning details about a fire that devastated his Ruiru-based furniture manufacturing facility on December 18, 2024.
Murage pointed that there was potentially suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident.
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CCTV Footage Reveals Suspicious Behaviour
According to Murage, surveillance footage from a neighbouring building captured two unidentified individuals departing the premises in a notably casual manner while the fire emergency was unfolding.
Their behaviour stood in stark contrast to others who were rushing inside trying to stop the fire.
“We are treating these individuals as persons of interest in our ongoing investigation,” Murage stated.
“Our staff, along with workers from neighbouring warehouses and security personnel, managed to break into the showroom to salvage furniture as the workshop burned.”
Extensive Financial Impact
The fire, which occurred on December 18, 2024, resulted in catastrophic losses. Murage disclosed via Facebook that the blaze destroyed machinery valued at KSh 50 million.
The fire originated in one of their workshops during early morning hours, specifically in an area used for storing furniture-making materials.
“At the time, our workers were actively engaged in their duties on the ground floor. CCTV footage captured the moment the fire started, until the moment power was disconnected by KPLC,” Murage explained.
“In the subsequent footage, employees can be seen rushing in with fire extinguishers, desperately trying to contain the fire, which threatened to spread to adjacent warehouses.”
Emergency Response and Investigation
The Kiambu Fire Department responded swiftly to contain the fire, preventing its spread to neighboring facilities.
Law enforcement officials visited the site to document the incident and initiate their investigation.
Employee Disappearance Adds to Mystery
One of the employee, Joseph Ng’ang’a Muhia, has been reported missing since the incident.
“CCTV footage shows him leaving the premises the day before the fire, and he has not been seen since,” Murage reported.
“Authorities thoroughly searched the debris and confirmed that there were no human remains found, aside from a dog’s carcass, which was examined by the DCI’s Forensics department in the presence of our staff and Muhia’s family before being disposed,” he added.
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation remains active, with authorities awaiting a comprehensive report from KPLC regarding the cause of the fire. Murage has made a public appeal for information:
“We appeal to anyone with credible information regarding the events of that morning or the whereabouts of Joseph Ng’ang’a Muhia to contact the nearest police station. Your assistance is invaluable as we seek to understand what transpired during this unfortunate incident.”
