Fire Guts Section of Gikomba Market in Nairobi Yet Again
A massive fire broke out early Sunday morning in the footwear section of Gikomba Market, near Lamu Road in Majengo, Pumwani, destroying goods worth millions of shillings and reigniting concerns over the market’s persistent vulnerability to infernos.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire started at around 3:00 a.m., prompting a swift response from the Nairobi County fire department. Firefighters, with the help of local volunteers, worked tirelessly to contain the blaze.
Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan, who arrived at the scene shortly after the incident, confirmed the deployment of county firefighting equipment and praised the community’s efforts.
“A massive fire erupted in the footwear section of Gikomba Market at around 3am. The county fire engine arrived promptly, and firefighters alongside local volunteers are doing their best to put it out,” he said.
Luckily, no casualties or injuries were reported, though dozens of traders are reeling from the losses.
Gikomba Market, one of Nairobi’s largest and busiest open-air markets, has suffered repeated fire disasters over the years. The congested nature of the market, coupled with inadequate safety infrastructure and alleged sabotage, has made it a hotspot for such incidents.
This latest inferno comes barely six weeks after a fire razed the Kwa Mbao section of the same market on April 1. The blaze in April also started at 3:00 a.m. and spread quickly, engulfing shops and nearby areas including a bus terminal.
Traders affected by that incident blamed faulty wiring, while others suspected foul play. Curiously, that April fire occurred exactly a month after a similar incident on March 1, sparking renewed allegations that the fires may be started intentionally to eliminate competition or reclaim land.
In response to the rising concerns, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on April 9 instructed investigative agencies to probe the recurring fires at Gikomba and other informal markets across Nairobi, such as Toi and Nyayo Markets.
“The government has instructed relevant agencies to investigate the cause of the frequent infernos and to provide comprehensive, long-term solutions to prevent future occurrences,” read a statement from his office.
Notably, in August 2021, the administration of then-President Uhuru Kenyatta pledged to install CCTV cameras at Gikomba Market. The initiative, which included a perimeter wall and floodlights, was meant to deter arson and enhance early fire detection. A contractor was even given a week to complete the installations, following another destructive fire that year.
Despite these efforts, little seems to have changed. Traders are now demanding real and lasting solutions.
“We are tired of empty promises. Every time there’s a fire, officials come here, make statements, and leave. Then it happens again,” lamented one trader who lost thousands in stock.
As investigations commence into the latest fire, questions linger over who is responsible, and whether anything will finally be done to protect the livelihoods of hundreds of small-scale traders who depend on Gikomba Market.
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Fire Guts Section of Gikomba Market in Nairobi Yet Again