Nyamira vendors lose stock in night arson

A mysterious fire Wednesday night swept through business stalls in Keroka, in Nyamira County, causing huge losses to traders.

The cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained by Thursday morning.

The town straddles between Nyamira and Kisii Counties.

A court ruling however placed large swathes of the town on Nyamira's side following a case filed by Rigoma Ward Rep Nyambega Gisesa.

The night arson largely affected traders selling on the side initially regarded as Kisii.

By press time there had been no confirmation of any arrests.

The traders said the fire is said to have started at midnight consuming dozens of stalls in its trail.

Mary Moraa, a fruit vendor, said she reported to work Thursday morning only to be greeted by the sight of a razed stall.

"I have lost more than Sh15,000 worth of stock, it will definitely take me time to recover because I had already used some money on school fees," she told the Star.

John Mweresa, who sells second-hand shoes, said all his stock went up in smoke.

"I don't know even where to begin from," he told the Star in Keroka.

The fire was contained by some traders who were already in town.