A section of the market went up in flames on December 28, 2022 leaving traders counting losses.
In October, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja pledged to set up a fire station at Gikomba market to help deal with recurrent fires.
Ongoing construction of a section of Gikomba market that was recently razed
Traders in Gikomba are running their daily business despite the market being crowded.
Gikomba Market, East Africa’s largest open-air market, has experienced unpredictable fires annually.
A section of the market went up in flames on December 28, 2022, leaving traders counting losses.
Construction is ongoing in some parts of the market that caught fire.
A man carries a shoes collection for sale at Gikomba market on January 9, 2023
In October, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja pledged to set up a fire station at the market to deal with recurrent fires.
He also said he will have the land surveyed and title deeds issued saying land grabbers and speculators are some of those behind the fires.
A man carries a sack of second-hand shoes at Gikomba market.
For decades, Gikomba market has been a source of income for many including food vendors, second-hand clothes traders, carpenters, business people, and many more.
Aerial view of a section of Gikomba market on January 9, 2023.A vendor displays simcards from different telecommunications at Gikomba market on January 9, 2023Congested Gikomba market on January 9, 2023. Most traders decry of the current high cost of living that has caused increase of prices of goods and products among other issues of concern by the traders is unending fire incidents and the recent reviewed mobile banking transaction chargesBusy Gikomba market as traders and customers engage in their daily activities on January 9, 2023.Busy Gikomba market as traders and customers engage in their daily activities on January 9, 2023./WILFRED NYANGARESIBusy Gikomba market as traders and customers engage in their daily activities on January 9, 2023./WILFRED NYANGARESIBusy Gikomba market as traders and customers engage in their daily activities on January 9, 2023.Busy Gikomba market as traders and customers engage in their daily activities on January 9, 2023./WILFRED NYANGARESI
