Each of the four chicken houses accommodated approximately 100 chickens.
Residents of Kimunye in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County, are counting losses estimated at more than Ksh.4 million after a fire destroyed a church, its office and four chicken houses.
Rev. Evans Ngugi of Christian Fellowship Trust Church said more than 400 chickens were burnt in the fire, with the poultry losses alone estimated at Ksh.500,000.
Each of the four chicken houses accommodated approximately 100 chickens.
The fire also razed the church and its office, leaving Ngugi with extensive losses.
He said he was asleep when residents alerted him to the incident.
Ngugi had spent much of the day in Kerugoya, where he had taken his ailing wife for treatment, and said the couple escaped unhurt after being alerted to the fire.
He credited residents for their swift response, saying their efforts helped prevent further destruction.
Ngugi also said he was fortunate to have left his vehicle at a petrol station in Kimunye Shopping Centre, potentially saving it from the fire.
Residents, led by Simon Kiura, said several people turned out to help fight the blaze after raising the alarm.
They mobilised neighbours, who brought water in jerrycans and used underground water pipes in an effort to contain the fire.
