A fresh wave of devastation swept through Nairobi's Gikomba Market early Sunday morning after a massive fire broke out, razing hundreds of stalls and leaving traders in shock and despair.
The fire reportedly started at around 3:00 a.m. in the footwear section near Lamu Road in Majengo, Pumwani, spreading swiftly through the congested market and catching most traders off guard.
"A massive fire erupted in the footwear section of Gikomba Market, adjacent to Lamu Road in Majengo in Pumwani at around 3:00 a.m. The county fire engine has arrived, and firefighters and local volunteers are battling to squash the inferno," said Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan in a statement.
A dramatic video shared widely on social media shows flames rapidly engulfing rows of tightly packed stalls as thick black smoke billowed into the night sky.
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Following a swift response from the Nairobi Fire Brigade, assisted by police and residents, the fire was later contained.
However, by the time the blaze was brought under control, several sections of the market had already been destroyed.
By sunrise, heartbroken traders stood helplessly beside the charred remains of their businesses, some too stunned to speak.
Authorities have since launched investigations to ascertain the cause of the fire.
This is not the first time tragedy has struck Gikomba. The market has long been plagued by mysterious and devastating fires.
The most recent incident before Sunday's blaze occurred on April 1 in the Kwa Mbao section of the market, also at around 3:00 a.m.
The fire devastated the area and even spread to a nearby bus station. Just a month earlier, on March 1, a similar fire broke out in the same section.
Traders affected by past fires have often pointed to faulty electrical wiring as a possible cause.
However, some have alleged that the fires are deliberately set by rivals looking to eliminate competition.
Last month, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki ordered investigative agencies to probe the recurring market fires, especially in hotspots like Gikomba and Toi Market.
"The government has instructed relevant agencies to investigate the cause of the frequent infernos in markets within Nairobi City County, including Gikomba and Toi Market, and to provide comprehensive, long-term solutions to prevent future occurrences," read a statement from the Deputy President's office.
