Fire Razes Down A Section Of Gikomba Market

Traders at Gikomba Market are once again facing devastating losses after a fierce fire broke out in the early hours of the morning, reducing their businesses to ashes.

The inferno, which erupted in the ‘Kwa Mbao’ section of the market near the fire station, started at approximately 3 a.m. and raged for several hours before it was eventually contained.

Witnesses reported that the flames spread rapidly, engulfing not just the ‘Kwa Mbao’ area but also extending to parts of the bus station, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

While authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the fire, early suspicions among the affected traders point to a possible electrical fault. However, many traders remain skeptical, citing the numerous past incidents where similar fires have mysteriously broken out in the market under questionable circumstances.

This latest disaster comes barely a month after a similar fire ravaged the same section of the market on March 1, leaving traders counting significant losses. Such fires have become an unfortunate and alarming pattern at Gikomba, with little to no resolution provided to the affected business owners.

For years, Gikomba Market, which is East Africa’s largest open-air market, has been plagued by periodic infernos that often leave traders financially crippled and struggling to restart their businesses.

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Over time, traders and observers have raised concerns about the frequency and timing of these fires. Many suspect foul play, with accusations flying that individuals with vested interests may be deliberately setting fire to sections of the market to displace traders.

Some believe that powerful land cartels and speculators are behind these incidents, aiming to evict traders and take over prime commercial land. Others suggest that some traders may have resorted to arson themselves, hoping to claim compensation in times of financial distress.

The persistent cycle of destruction and loss has prompted traders to take legal action against the Nairobi County Government. In 2021, over 900 traders who had been victims of previous fires sued the county, demanding KSH 20 billion in compensation for losses incurred over the years.

The traders argued that the county authorities had failed in their duty to implement adequate fire prevention measures and had neglected the safety of those conducting business in the market. Their lawsuit sought not just financial redress but also proactive solutions to prevent further devastation.

In response to these ongoing challenges, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, upon assuming office in 2022, pledged to take decisive action to address the frequent fires at Gikomba Market.

He acknowledged the longstanding problem and vowed to safeguard the market from land grabbers who, according to him, were a significant factor contributing to the repeated fires.

“I have instructed our surveyors to be on the ground to demarcate the land and process the title deed for Gikomba as public land. One of the causes of the fires has been the land grabbers and speculators,” Sakaja stated in 2022, emphasizing his commitment to ensuring the market remains a safe and secure place for traders.

Despite these assurances, the fires continue to haunt Gikomba, leaving traders disillusioned and desperate for a lasting solution. Many now demand not just government intervention but also a thorough investigation to unearth the real perpetrators behind these destructive incidents.

Until concrete measures are put in place, the traders of Gikomba Market remain at the mercy of an unpredictable and devastating cycle of fires, forced to rebuild their livelihoods time and time again with little to no certainty of what the future holds.

Read Also: Gikomba Market Burns Down Again