Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has assured traders affected by the latest fire at Gikomba Market that they will not be displaced from their business spaces, as the county government begins assessing losses and planning recovery measures.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Sakaja expressed condolences to the families of two people who lost their lives in the blaze, describing the incident as a tragedy that had destroyed the livelihoods of thousands of traders who form a key part of Nairobi’s economy.
The governor said emergency teams were working to identify the victims and support their families, while several other residents who sustained minor injuries received treatment at the scene from county ambulance personnel and the Kenya Red Cross.
Sakaja also praised firefighters for their efforts in containing the inferno, revealing that four firefighters were injured while battling the flames under difficult conditions.
At the same time, he condemned what he termed as attacks on first responders during the emergency operation. According to the governor, a National Youth Service (NYS) fire engine was stoned and turned away by rowdy youths, disrupting initial firefighting efforts.
Despite the challenges, Sakaja said county teams managed to contain the fire with the support of water bowsers deployed by the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company to boost water supply.
Addressing traders directly, the governor said the county administration was in constant communication with market leaders and local officials to coordinate recovery efforts.
He noted that consultations were ongoing with chairpersons from the market’s various sections as authorities conduct an assessment of the damage and prepare immediate intervention measures.
Sakaja further assured traders that no one would exploit the disaster to evict them from their trading spaces, emphasizing that affected business owners would be allowed to rebuild as the county continues with plans to modernize the market.
“My administration is already reviewing immediate logistical mechanisms to support your recovery and help you rebuild. We will not abandon you,” the governor said.
The latest fire adds to a series of devastating incidents that have repeatedly affected Gikomba Market, renewing concerns over fire safety and infrastructure at one of East Africa’s largest open-air markets.
