Traders at Nairobi’s Gikomba Market have been left counting massive losses after a fire swept through sections of the country's largest open-air market, destroying merchandise worth millions of shillings and wiping out the livelihoods of hundreds of families.
The fire, which broke out in the early hours of the morning, reduced stalls and goods to ashes, leaving devastated traders wondering how they will rebuild their businesses and support their families.
Many of the affected traders said they had lost everything and now have no source of income.
Lydia Aurelia, one of the traders whose stock was destroyed in the inferno, recounted the anxious moments before the fire consumed the market.
“I received a call at 2 am and was told there was a fire outbreak but they were trying to put it off,” she said.
“At around 5 am I was called again and told it had been put off. But as we speak, we have no job. Everything is gone with the fire. The clothes we were to sell on Monday have all been burnt.”
Aurelia said the losses extend beyond merchandise, affecting families that rely entirely on the market for survival.
“We do not have anything. We have not saved anything. Those
who depend on the market to feed their children and pay for the medical care of
their parents have nowhere to turn to,” she said.
She expressed frustration that traders in the affected section were not given advance notice to relocate despite earlier discussions about moving some businesses from the area.
“I wish we would have been told to move away the way shoe sellers were told. You had given us six months and we are still within that period. We are now in big problems. We have nowhere to go,” she lamented.
Another trader, Mercy Muthoni, described the incident as heartbreaking, saying years of investment had been lost within hours.
“A lot of merchandise was burnt. We have been really saddened,” she said.
Muthoni called for improved emergency response measures at the market, arguing that the damage could have been reduced if firefighting resources were readily available.
“All we ask for now is to have fire engines around here because they would have stopped the fire early enough,” she said.
The latest fire has once again raised concerns over safety standards and emergency preparedness at Gikomba, which has experienced several destructive fires over the years.
Former Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo joined calls for urgent intervention, expressing solidarity with the affected traders.
“I am deeply saddened by yet another fire ravaging stalls at Gikomba Market this morning, leaving traders counting losses as their goods go up in flames,” she said.
“My heart goes out to every hardworking Kenyan whose livelihood has been wiped out overnight. No family should have to repeatedly rebuild from ashes while questions about safety, accountability and lasting solutions remain unanswered.”
Odhiambo challenged leaders and relevant agencies to move beyond promises and implement practical measures to prevent recurring disasters at the market.
“We must pursue proper market planning, real fire safety infrastructure and transparent investigations into these recurring infernos that keep targeting one of Nairobi’s most important economic hubs,” she said.
She added that affected traders deserve justice, compensation and meaningful reforms to protect their businesses from future disasters.
