The government has issued a fresh directive aimed at addressing the recurring problem of market fires within Nairobi City County.

Speaking on Wednesday, April 9, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said the government had instructed relevant agencies to investigate the root causes of the frequent fires in city markets including Gikomba and Toi.

“We have directed relevant agencies to investigate the cause of frequent fires in markets within Nairobi City County, including Gikomba and Toi Markets, and provide a comprehensive long-term solution to avoid reoccurrence,” he said.

Kindiki noted that the government is not only keen on identifying the causes of the fires, but also to implement lasting infrastructure changes that will safeguard traders and their businesses.

“Part of the solution to this problem is the construction of modern markets, fully equipped with all amenities including fire fighting equipment. 400 such markets are being constructed across the country, including 10 within Nairobi City County," he added.

This comes after hundreds of businesses were destroyed in the early hours of Tuesday, April 1, when a devastating fire tore through a section of Gikomba Market. 

According to media reports, the fire which broke out around 4 am rapidly spread through the market, engulfing shops and stalls that were stocked with goods ranging from clothes to foodstuffs.

A witness, who is also a trader at the market, shared their harrowing experience of the devastating incident. 

“We received a call at around 4 am that there was a fire. When we arrived at the scene, we couldn’t save anything,” the business owner lamented.   

Traders who responded to the scene were left in shock and disbelief as they watched their livelihoods go up in smoke.

Firefighters were called to the scene, but by the time they arrived, the flames had already caused extensive damage.