Traders are counting losses this evening after a fire razed down a section of stalls at Toi market in Kibera, which is located about seven kilometers from Nairobi’s Central Business District,.
The fire according to eyewitnesses started in the market a section called Hawkers , which houses carpenters, tailors, grinders and some shoe sellers.
Speaking to the Star, Millicent Obedi who lives next to the market said the fire started at around 6:30 pm around the New Life and Life worship churches.
“I came from Rival Church and was on my way to buy tomatoes in the market when I heard people shouting Toi inachomeka ( Toi is burning )” she said.
Area MCA Mwangi Njihia said he contacted the Nairobi Fire brigade and they were at the scene around 7pm.
Despite the fire being put off, the delay from the Fire Fighters gave room for the inferno to spread that razed down most commodities
“ Most of the stalls are roofed with iron sheets so nothing much has been saved from the fire. The fire engine came but arrived late ” she said.
The traders however faulted the County government for not considering setting up a fire station in Kibra and neighboring estates.
“ The nearest fire station is located in town so it takes time for the fire engine to arrive and at times they come without water. The government needs to consider constructing a fire station in fire-prone areas, “
Lack of access roads have also been faulted for the slow response of fire services.
“ Ways leading to the market and even within, are very narrow and it becomes almost impossible for fire engines to pass through in times of emergency,”Obedi added.
This is the second time this year the market has had a fire case.
In 2019, two fires broke in the market in a span of four years after the 2014 fire outbreak that destroyed property of unknown value.
A section of the Gikomba market on Monday at dawn was reduced to ashes, leading to the loss of goods worth millions of shillings.
Despite sneezing and coughing due to the dust, traders have since taken to reconstructing their sheds, each racing against time.
The market has become prone to frequent fires, despite government promising an end to the infernos.
In 2018, the market experienced three fire cases, which led President Uhuru Kenyatta to call for investigations into the incident and for culprits to be brought to book.
In June that year, 15 people died and at least 60 injured when a section of the market dealing with timber and clothes was burnt.
Despite the President's directive, there has never been a concluded investigation nor has there been anyone arrested and charged.
