Traders at Gikomba Market suffered huge losses after a fire broke out early Sunday morning and destroyed goods worth millions of shillings.
The fire reportedly started at around 4 a.m. before spreading rapidly through several sections of the market.
Videos shared online showed huge flames lighting up the sky as thick smoke rose above the trading hub. Some traders who had arrived early watched helplessly as the fire consumed stalls.
By 5:30 a.m., the Kenya Red Cross confirmed the incident and deployed emergency teams to the scene.
According to the agency, the blaze is believed to have started near the fish section before spreading to neighbouring stalls.
“A huge fire has been reported at Gikomba Market near the fish side area. Response teams are at the scene,” the Kenya Red Cross said.
Traders Suffer Major Losses
The fire dealt a major setback to hundreds of traders who depend on the market for their livelihoods.
Many traders lost stock and business property during the incident. The full extent of the damage had not been established by the time of publication.
Authorities had not confirmed the cause of the fire. Investigators are expected to begin assessments to determine what triggered the blaze.
The latest incident has renewed concerns over safety at the market. Gikomba has experienced several destructive fires over the years.
Past incidents have sparked concerns over electrical faults, congestion and possible arson. However, authorities have often urged the public to wait for official investigations before drawing conclusions.
Fire Comes Amid Market Redevelopment
The incident occurred as Nairobi County continues with plans to modernise the market.
In March 2026, county officials began demolishing parts of Gikomba to pave the way for a major redevelopment project.
The plan attracted mixed reactions from traders, with some supporting the project while others opposed the demolitions.
The government has allocated between Ksh3 billion and Ksh5 billion for the redevelopment.
Officials say the project aims to transform Gikomba into a modern trading centre with improved infrastructure and safety standards.
The first phase of construction is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
Authorities are expected to provide further updates after completing investigations and damage assessments.
