A massive fire engulfed Marikiti Market in Kisii early Sunday morning, destroying property whose value is yet to be determined and leaving hundreds of traders grappling with significant losses.

The fire broke out around 2 a.m., quickly sweeping through the market, which sits in the heart of Kisii's Central Business District. By the time the flames were brought under control, more than 300 stalls had been reduced to rubble.

Locals attempted to contain the fire using buckets of water, but the effort proved futile due to the market's layout and the flammable nature of the aluminium structures, which accelerated the spread of the blaze.

Several nearby businesses, including car parks, were forced to take swift action moving vehicles manually to prevent them from being consumed.

By daylight, thick smoke still billowed from the scene as traders stood helplessly among the charred remains of their livelihoods.

Eyewitnesses and market vendors voiced frustration over the delayed response from the Kisii County emergency services. Despite the fire station being located only a short distance away, no fire engines reportedly arrived in time to prevent the extensive damage.

Some traders speculated foul play, citing an ongoing legal dispute over the ownership of the land on which the market stands. A recent court ruling had reportedly declared the property private, raising suspicions that the fire may have been deliberate.

As of Sunday morning, Kisii County officials had yet to issue a statement addressing the incident or the allegations.

"The market caught fire at around 2 a.m. and it’s shocking that the county, which has fire engines funded by our taxes, didn’t respond in time. Now everything is gone. We can’t help but wonder if this has something to do with the land dispute," one trader lamented.

This is not the first fire-related disaster in the county. In May, a blaze broke out at Amabuko Secondary School in Nyaribari Masaba Constituency, injuring 22 students and causing significant damage.

That incident, along with the latest Marikiti Market fire, has fueled growing concern over the frequency and handling of fire emergencies in the region.