Early morning fire razes section of Gikomba Market

Traders at Gikomba Market are facing fresh losses after a fire broke out in the ‘Kwa Mbao’ area near the fire station early in the morning.

The fire, which started at around 3 am, spread quickly, affecting the entire section and part of the bus station before it was brought under control.

The cause of the fire has not been determined, but some traders suspect it could have been caused by an electrical fault.

This is the second time in a month that the same area has been affected by fire, with a similar incident occurring on March 1, 2025.

Gikomba Market has a history of frequent fires, with traders often losing property worth millions.

Many traders believe these fires are not accidental, claiming that individuals with hidden motives are behind them.

In 2021, over 900 traders sued the Nairobi County Government, demanding Sh20 billion in compensation for losses suffered due to the repeated fires.

They argued that the county had failed to implement adequate safety measures to prevent such incidents.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, after assuming office in 2022, acknowledged the concerns raised by traders and pledged to take action.

He stated that the market was public land and assured traders that he would protect it from private developers allegedly trying to evict them.

“I have instructed our surveyors to be on the ground to demarcate the land and process the title deed for Gikomba as public land. One of the causes of the fires has been the land grabbers and speculators,” Sakaja said in 2022.

The frequent fires at the market have raised suspicions of deliberate arson, with claims that some individuals are trying to displace traders and take over the land.

There have also been cases where traders allegedly set fire to the market themselves to claim compensation after struggling with business losses.