Fresh Inferno Tears Through Gikomba Market, Traders Count Heavy Losses

Thousands of traders at Nairobi’s Gikomba Market woke up to another tragedy on Sunday after a fire swept through parts of the country’s largest open-air market, destroying businesses and property.

The blaze broke out before dawn and quickly spread through the fish market, the Kwa Bridge area and sections occupied by second-hand clothes traders. Huge flames and thick clouds of smoke could be seen rising above the market as emergency teams raced to contain the inferno.

Kenya Red Cross personnel, firefighters and security officers were deployed to the scene, where efforts to put out the fire and secure the area continued into the morning. Traders who had arrived early attempted to rescue goods, but many watched helplessly as the flames consumed their stalls.

Authorities had not immediately established what caused the fire, and there were no reports of injuries at the time. The extent of the damage was still being assessed.

The latest incident has once again exposed the vulnerability of Gikomba Market, which has suffered numerous fires over the years. For many traders, the destruction represents a painful setback, with livelihoods built over years reduced to ashes in a matter of hours.

Investigations are expected once firefighters fully extinguish the blaze and access to the affected sections is restored.