Kodiaga traders counting losses after stalls razed down

Traders have blamed political intolerance as the cause of the Kodiaga market fire.

Traders are counting losses after properties worth millions of shillings were razed down by a raging fire that started at night on Wednesday, destroying seven stalls at Kodiaga market.

According to one of the traders Caleb Ongayo,"The fire stated at around 11 pm in one of the stalls before spreading to others stalls within a twinkle of an eye."

Ongayo said most of the stalls were fully selling with expensive items worth millions naming the wine and spirits shop worth 200,000, butcher stall worth Sh300,000 and a wholesale stall with items valued at a million shillings.

Another trader Micheal Nyawade  alleged that the stalls were torched by thugs hired by politicians.

He disputed any possibility that the fire could have been caused by electricity fault saying there were no signs of electricity blackouts before the incident.

He urged the police to intensify investigations and nub the perpetrators who are geared to mix politics with personal business.

"Politicians should desist from such heinous acts and concentrate on development based politics to win the hearts of electorates," he said.

Four politicians have been contesting for the Gem MP seat, they include Elisha Odhiambo, Booker Omole, Adino Ben and Prof Isaiah Ndiege. 

The MP’s constituency coordinator John Ogam visited the scene and told traders that the MP will support the affected vendors to resume their business immediately while calling on the relevant government agencies to investigate the incident.

Ogam added, "The MP is coordinating with ministry of interior through disaster management committee to also assist traders who have been affected."

North Gem ward ODM nominee Teddy Odhiambo has also vowed to support the traders who were affected to ensure they are back in business.

Odhiambo asked relevant authorities in charge of investigations not to leave the perpetrators unpunished.