Two people have died following a fire that broke out at Nairobi’s Gikomba Market on Sunday morning. Several others were injured, including four firefighters who responded to the scene.
The cause of the fire remains unknown.
Gikomba traders count losses as fire razes down stalls
“The precise cause of the fire remains unknown at this hour. A multi-agency team has launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the origin and cause of the outbreak,” said Nairobi County Chief Officer for Disaster Risk Management and Coordination, Bramwell Simiyu.
Traders were left counting losses after the inferno swept through sections of the busy trading hub, destroying merchandise worth millions of shillings and leaving hundreds of businesses in ruins.
The fire broke out in the early morning hours and rapidly spread through business stalls and commercial structures.
According to the Kenya Red Cross, the fire is believed to have started around 4am and “has caused significant damage, with response efforts ongoing.”
Preliminary assessments by Nairobi County indicate that a large section of the market has been severely affected, resulting in massive property losses for traders.
Smoke billows over Gikomba Market as a devastating fire destroys goods worth millions of shillings. The latest incident adds to a series of fires that have repeatedly affected the market, leaving traders counting heavy losses. The cause of the blaze remains unknown.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
By morning, thick smoke and flames had engulfed large parts of the market, with traders arriving to find their stalls reduced to ashes. Many were unable to salvage any stock as the fire spread rapidly, destroying goods, equipment, and structures within minutes.
Some traders, despite the devastation, were seen sifting through the charred remains in search of any salvageable items.
“I could not salvage anything,” said one trader, who said she lost about Sh100,000 worth of stock in the latest fire.
Frequent fires have become a recurring challenge at Gikomba Market, often striking without warning and leaving traders with devastating losses. Over the years, these incidents have raised concerns about safety standards and the need for stronger preventive measures.
Traders salvage what remains of their goods after a devastating fire swept through Gikomba Market, leaving a trail of destruction and significant losses.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
The densely packed stalls and limited access routes have continued to complicate firefighting efforts.
“I am deeply saddened by reports of yet another fire at Gikomba Market this morning. My heart goes out to every hardworking Kenyan whose livelihood has been wiped out overnight,” said former Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo.
