Two people have been confirmed dead after a massive fire swept through Nairobi’s Gikomba Market early on Sunday, June 21, destroying businesses and leaving thousands of traders facing heavy losses.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja confirmed that the victims, an adult man and woman, had yet to be formally identified as emergency teams worked to trace and 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,” Sakaja stated.
The blaze tore through sections of the country’s largest open-air market, consuming merchandise and structures owned by traders who rely on the market as their primary source of income.
Several people suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene by county ambulance teams and personnel from the Kenya Red Cross. Four firefighters were also injured during efforts to contain the fire.
While commending emergency responders for their bravery, the governor criticised individuals who allegedly interfered with rescue operations.
“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: “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.”
Some affected traders claimed the first county fire engine arrived at the scene at around 6:30am, despite repeated distress calls reportedly being made from 11pm on Saturday when the fire is believed to have started.
The traders also questioned the effectiveness of existing firefighting infrastructure, alleging that nearby emergency response facilities lacked adequate resources during the incident.
According to Sakaja, county officials had already begun evaluating the scale of the destruction and were holding consultations with representatives from all 32 sections of the market.
He assured traders that they would retain their trading spaces and pledged support from the county government as reconstruction efforts begin.
“We will allow you all to rebuild where you were even as we continue modernizing Gikomba. We will not abandon you,” he assured.
The June 21 fire is the latest in a series of devastating infernos that have repeatedly struck Gikomba Market over the years, destroying goods worth millions of shillings and disrupting the livelihoods of thousands of traders.
The recurring incidents have continued to fuel concerns over safety standards, congestion and the market’s level of emergency preparedness.
In February, President William Ruto announced plans to construct a Ksh5 billion modern market at Gikomba as part of a broader initiative to improve trading infrastructure across Nairobi.
Speaking during the signing of a collaboration agreement between the national government and Nairobi City County Government at State House, the President noted that the project would transform Gikomba into a modern and organised trading centre.
“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.
