Wealthy traders blamed for Kongowea fire

A trader at Kongowea market in Mombasa fights to save his goods from a fire on April 4, 2014. The fire that razed Mombasa’s Kongowea market was the work of arsonists, according to an MP and the business community. PHOTO/LABAN WALLOGA

What you need to know:

  • Goods estimated to be worth more than Sh30 million were destroyed.
  • Police say the fire might have been caused by an electrical fault.

The fire that razed Mombasa’s Kongowea market was the work of arsonists, according to an MP and the business community.

They pointed an accusing finger at some unnamed wealthy people who, they claim, wanted to take control of the market.

Fire broke out at the open-air market on Thursday night last week and destroyed goods that the 300 traders estimated to be worth more than Sh30 million.

Nyali MP Hezron Awiti, who represents the area, said there could have been mischief and rumours that some wealthy individuals were behind the fire should be investigated.

ELECTRICAL FAULT

However, police suspected the cause of the fire to be an electrical fault.

“You know there are many people doing illegal wiring in the clustered shops,” county police commandant Robert Kitur said by phone, adding that investigations were on to establish the cause.

Traders criticised the county government’s “slow” response.

“The manner in which the county government responded to the fire is suspicious. We must be compensated,” said Mr Paul Ngei, a trader who lost property.

County trade executive Mohamed Ibrahim Abdi said the market would be rehabilitated by June.