Fierce blaze destroys Gikomba market

Goods worth millions of shillings were destroyed when a fire burnt down stalls at the Gikomba open-air market on Tuesday.

The fire, which started on Tuesday morning, rendered many traders who own stalls jobless.

Initially, there were reports that a family of three, a mother and her two children, had perished, since Gikomba also serves as a residential area.

But Kenya Red Cross officials said only a few traders suffered injuries while trying to salvage their property.

Though the cause of the fire was not known by Tuesday, Nairobi Police Commander Benson Kibue acknowledged that it could have been started by people with an “ill motive”.

However, Mr Kibui added that police had already launched investigations to find out the cause but said the fire originated from one of the stalls.

Mr Kibue said they would also probe reports that rivalry between two groups in the area may have contributed to the arson.

“If anyone has any information that will help us get to the bottom of the matter, we call upon them to report it. Otherwise, rumours and speculations should stop,” Mr Kibue said.

$5 BILLION TO HELP VICTIMS

The Administration Police and the National Youth Service were deployed to help with the rescue.

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero said the county had set aside Sh5 million to help the people affected by the Gikomba fire recover their lost property. He said plans were under way to ensure that structures destroyed by fire are constructed by the National Youth Service.

“We will build permanent structures that will house new stalls for your businesses,” he added.

He said the market is at the heart of Nairobi’s economy and has a daily turnover of about Sh500 million. This translates to about Sh15 billion monthly and in a year nearly Sh180 billion.

Deputy President William Ruto also pledged help.

The fire, which is said to have started at area 42 before it spread to Gorofani in Gikomba, was the second blaze reported in the past week.

Those affected sat passively on both sides of the Nairobi River watching in disbelief as fire engulfed their stalls.

BANK LOANS

Some arrived at the scene as early as 5am after learning that fire had broken out at the largest second-hand goods market at around 3am.

Ms Patricia Mwende was among traders who watched as more than five firefighters from the National Youth Service, the Kenya Army and Nairobi County tried their best to extinguish the fire.

Trucks could not access the area due to lack of access roads.

“We have children back at home. They need food and school fees and you will not tell them that your stall was burnt. They still expect you to provide,” said Ms Mwende.

She noted that several traders in the market rely on loans and therefore they would still be expected to service their loans.

Mr Samuel Mburu, a trader, said he had lost stocks worth Sh150,000 and he had a loan to repay.