12th September 2026, Firefighters from the Kisumu City Disaster Management Department today joined fellow first responders from across the country for the annual Firefighter Staircase Climb at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi.
The event was held in remembrance of firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11, while also honouring firefighters around the world who continue to put their lives on the line to protect communities and save lives.
Held under the theme, “Climb with Purpose. Honor the Brave. Build Safer Communities,” the challenge brought together firefighters and first responders who undertook the demanding ascent of the KICC stairwell while wearing full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
The climb commenced at 8:00 a.m., following a 7:00 a.m. reporting time. Participants took on the demanding challenge not merely as a test of physical strength and endurance, but as a meaningful tribute to the courage, dedication and sacrifice of firefighters.
For Kisumu City, participation in the event provided an opportunity to reaffirm the critical role of firefighters and emergency responders in protecting lives, safeguarding infrastructure and strengthening community resilience. It also provided a platform for firefighters from different organisations to strengthen professional networks, share experiences and build lasting bonds within the fire and rescue fraternity.
The event further promoted public awareness on fire safety while emphasising the importance of preparedness, teamwork, resilience and collective responsibility in building safer and more disaster-resilient communities.
Kisumu City was proudly represented by Samuel Ochieng, Timothy Ogalo, George Oketch, and Community Volunteer Firefighter Kennedy Owuor, who successfully completed the climb alongside firefighters and first responders from other agencies.
The event concluded with a group photograph overlooking Nairobi, with participants proudly displaying the Kenyan flag—a fitting symbol of unity, solidarity, patriotism and the shared commitment of first responders to protecting lives and serving communities.
Kisumu City Disaster Management Department remains committed to strengthening fire and rescue preparedness, inter-agency collaboration and community fire-safety awareness in support of safer and more resilient communities.
