Homa Bay traders lose property worth millions of shillings in fire

Elias Abong’o, a trader said the fire cost him Sh1m in his business premise.

More than 50 traders in Homa Bay county are counting losses after their property worth millions of shillings was destroyed in a fire.

The traders at Kipasi trading centre in Mbita subcounty lost their goods in the fire which broke out on Friday night.

Residents suspected the fire was caused by an electric fault.

County Police Commander Esther Seroney confirmed that nobody was injured in the accident.

Property lost included motorbikes, sewing machines, refrigerators, music systems and television sets.

Others included clothes, bags of cereals and bundles of wheat flour.

Elias Abong’o, a trader said the fire cost him goods worth Sh1 million.

“I also had a store which carried tents, sewing machines and others. This is a serious setback,” said Abong’o.

Another trader, Triza Atieno, aso incurred a huge loss.

Atieno said she bought a number of goods in bulk to sell at Kipasi market on Sunday.

“My livelihood is entirely dependent on this business. It was the only source of income from which I was paying my children’s school fees. I don’t know where to start from."

Nominated MCA Sophie Salim who is a resident of the area called on the Homa Bay county and the National governments to help the traders.

“Most of these traders are traumatised because their livelihood entirely depended on the goods which have been destroyed,” said Salim said.

She argued that life will become more unbearable for the traders due to restrictions introduced by the government to prevent covid-19 spread in the country.

“I call on the county and national governments to intervene with humanitarian aid."