At least two people have died following the massive fire that tore through Nairobi's Gikomba Market on Sunday, June 21, leaving widespread destruction and huge losses for traders.
Reports indicate that several other people suffered injuries during the incident. Some of the injured included firefighters who took part in efforts to contain the blaze and stop it from spreading to other sections of the market.
The fire swept through a large area of the busy trading centre, destroying stalls and merchandise worth millions of shillings. Many traders arrived at the market only to find their businesses reduced to ashes.
Emergency teams responded shortly after the fire broke out and battled the flames for several hours. Their efforts eventually brought the inferno under control, preventing further destruction in nearby sections.
Authorities have launched investigations to establish what triggered the fire. Officials are expected to inspect the affected area and gather evidence before releasing a formal report.
The latest incident has once again raised concerns over the frequent fires that have hit Gikomba Market over the years. Traders have continued to call for stronger safety measures, improved firefighting systems, and better market planning to reduce the risk of future disasters.
The market remains one of Nairobi's busiest trading centres and supports thousands of livelihoods. The destruction caused by the fire is expected to have a major economic impact on affected traders as they begin assessing their losses and planning recovery efforts.
