Nairobi MPs Demand Compensation for Gikomba Fire Victims as Questions Mount Over Emergency Response
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja described the incident as a major blow to thousands of traders who depend on the market for their livelihoods.
Fire outbreak at Gikomba Market. Photo/Courtesy.
By Fredrick Oseko
A section of Nairobi lawmakers has called on the Nairobi City County Government to compensate traders who lost property during the devastating fire that tore through Gikomba Market, one of East Africa’s largest open-air trading hubs.
Led by Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, the legislators criticized the county government’s handling of the disaster, arguing that a faster response could have reduced the scale of destruction and prevented some of the losses suffered by traders.
The lawmakers questioned how a fire of such magnitude could rage for hours despite the market’s proximity to emergency response facilities. They are now demanding accountability from county officials while urging both county and national authorities to provide immediate support to affected traders seeking to rebuild their businesses.
The fire, which broke out in the early hours of Sunday morning, swept through sections of the sprawling market, destroying hundreds of stalls and merchandise worth millions of shillings. Authorities confirmed that two people lost their lives in the tragedy, while at least 17 others sustained injuries ranging from smoke inhalation to minor burns.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja described the incident as a major blow to thousands of traders who depend on the market for their livelihoods.
“A devastating early morning fire swept through the market, destroying the livelihoods of thousands of hardworking traders who form the backbone of our city’s economy,” Sakaja said while visiting the scene.
According to the Kenya Red Cross and county officials, emergency teams battled the blaze for several hours before finally bringing it under control. The fire reportedly started at around 4 a.m. and spread rapidly through the market’s densely packed structures, fuelled by highly combustible materials including textiles, wood and plastic products commonly sold at the market.
County Chief Officer for Disaster and Risk Management Bramwell Simiyu confirmed that the deceased were an adult man and woman whose identities had not been formally established by Sunday evening. Four firefighters were also among those injured during the response operation.
The latest tragedy has once again renewed concerns over safety standards and emergency preparedness at Gikomba, a market that has suffered numerous destructive fires over the years. Previous incidents have repeatedly raised questions about fire prevention measures, electrical safety and access for emergency vehicles within the busy trading centre.
As traders sift through the charred remains of their businesses, many have appealed for financial assistance from both county and national governments. Some traders reported losing their entire stock, leaving them uncertain about how they will recover from the disaster.
Meanwhile, authorities have launched a multi-agency investigation to establish the exact cause of the fire. County officials say the origin of the blaze remains unknown, and investigators are expected to determine whether it resulted from an accident, an electrical fault or other factors.
With thousands of livelihoods disrupted and families mourning the loss of loved ones, pressure continues to mount on Nairobi County leaders to improve emergency response systems and provide compensation to traders affected by one of the market’s most destructive fires in recent years.
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