Nairobi, Jun 21 — Two people have been confirmed dead following a devastating fire that swept through Nairobi’s Gikomba Market early Sunday morning, destroying businesses and leaving thousands of traders counting losses.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja confirmed that the victims, an adult man and woman, had not yet been formally identified as emergency teams worked to notify their families.
“On behalf of the people of Nairobi, I extend our deepest condolences to their loved ones. We stand with you in this dark hour,” he said.
The Sunday morning inferno tore through sections of the country’s largest open-air market, consuming merchandise and structures belonging to traders who depend on the market for their livelihoods.
Several people sustained minor injuries and received treatment at the scene from county ambulance personnel and the Kenya Red Cross. Four firefighters were also injured while battling the blaze.
Governor Sakaja praised emergency responders for their courage but condemned attacks on first responders during the operation.
“I must also express condemnation of the lawless, unprovoked attacks directed at first responders. A National Youth Service (NYS) fire engine was stoned and forcibly turned away by rowdy youth, severely disrupting early containment efforts.”
“Despite the hostility, our teams stood their ground. We deployed water bowsers from the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) to augment the water supply and completely contain the blaze,” Sakaja said.
A section of the affected traders narrated that the first county owned fire engine had arrived at the site at around 6:30am despite frantic calls being made from Saturday 11pm when the fire is reported to have broken out.
They further questioned the effectiveness of existing fire infrastructure, alleging that nearby fire response facilities was under-resourced during the incident.
The Governor said county officials had begun assessing the extent of the damage and were engaging leaders from all 32 sections of the market.
He assured traders that no one would be displaced from their trading spaces and pledged county support to facilitate rebuilding efforts.
“We will allow you all to rebuild where you were even as we continue modernizing Gikomba. We will not abandon you,” Sakaja said.
The June 21 early morning inferno adds to a long history of devastating infernos at Gikomba Market, which has repeatedly suffered similar incidents over the years, destroying goods worth millions of shillings and disrupting the livelihoods of thousands of traders.
The recurring disasters have consistently raised concerns over safety standards, overcrowding, and emergency preparedness within the market.
In February, President William Ruto announced plans to construct a Sh5 billion modern market in Gikomba as part of a wider programme to upgrade trading infrastructure in Nairobi.
Speaking during the signing of a collaboration agreement between the national government and Nairobi City County Government at State House, the President said the planned facility would transform Gikomba into a modern, structured trading hub.
“I was in Gikomba, and we are now designing a modern national market. I have given my undertaking that we are going to build a Ksh.5 billion modern market in Gikomba,” the President said.