Faith Masita
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.
Gikomba Fire Leaves Two Dead, Businesses Destroyed.
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 were treated at the scene by county ambulance teams and the Kenya Red Cross. Four firefighters were also injured while battling the blaze.
Governor Sakaja praised emergency responders for their efforts 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.”
He added that despite the hostility, responders managed to bring the fire under control with additional support from the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) through deployed water bowsers.
“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.
Some traders questioned the emergency response time, alleging that the first county fire engine arrived around 6:30am despite reports that the fire may have started the previous night. Others raised concerns about the adequacy of nearby fire infrastructure.
County officials have since begun assessing the extent of the damage and are engaging leaders from all 32 sections of the market. The governor assured traders that no one would be displaced and pledged support for 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 incident adds to Gikomba Market’s long history of repeated infernos that have destroyed goods worth millions and disrupted livelihoods, raising ongoing concerns over safety and emergency preparedness.
In February, President William Ruto announced plans for a Sh5 billion modern market to upgrade Gikomba into a 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.
