Homa Bay Night Runners Ask Gov’t To Employ Them As Firefighters To Put Out Night Infernos

• Jack Songo, the self-proclaimed leader of the Night Runners Association of Kenya, said the group was an untapped asset by Songo
• Songo claimed night runners could serve as firefighters and effective lookouts to raise alarms and put out fires in rural areas
• He expressed a desire for the government to address the welfare of their animals, often including wild ones like hyenas and leopards

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Homa Bay - Night Runners Association of Kenya leader Jack Songo has passionately appealed to the government.

Night runners are traditionally associated with strange nocturnal activities, terrorising neighbours in rural communities and engaging in unexplained practices.

As reported by Ramogi TV, the self-proclaimed night runners chief stated that the peculiar group was an asset that is yet to be tapped.

Songo claimed their nocturnal activities make them the perfect lookout in the event of fires in rural areas.

He explained that apart from extinguishing fires, they are best suited to raising the alarm whenever they encounter fires.

“We are mostly active at night and are more likely to respond to fire outbreaks than anyone. When out, we can equally raise an alarm if we spot fire at night,” he said.

Songo disclosed that he was acquiring a certificate of good conduct from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI).

Songo asks gov't to take care of their animals

The night runner further asked the government to help look into their animals' welfare.

He said just like other domesticated animals, they also wish to have their 'pets' taken care of by the national government.

"Government has been running programmes where it vaccinates animals from diseases like rabies. Our animals should also be considered in such programmes,” he said.

Night runners are often associated with petting wild animals, including but not limited to hyenas and leopards.

Why did Songo fail his KCSE exam

In 2019, the famed night runner blamed the former Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha for failing the 2019 KCSE exam.

Songo, who got a C-, claimed he would have performed better if the examination body could have allowed him to sit the papers at night.

"Our creativity and productivity as night runners is best at night and not in broad daylight like everyone else and that I why I told them to allow me to sit for the exams at night, but they refused," he said.

Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, Songo said he could not see things clearly during the day, just like a cat and hyena that only see clearly at night.