Traders at Makimeny Market in Chepalungu Sub-County, Bomet County, are counting heavy losses after a fierce fire razed more than 50 business premises on the night of Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
The fire, which broke out at around 8:00 p.m., reduced dozens of shops to ashes, destroying property worth an unknown value. According to a police report from Makimeny Police Post, the cause of the fire remains unknown, and investigations are ongoing to determine what sparked the blaze.
“Fire outbreak occurred at Makimeny Market within this command. The fire raged over 50 shops, and the cause of the fire is yet to be established,” the report read in part.
Local residents, police officers, and the area chief were among the first responders but were quickly overwhelmed by the intensity of the flames. A fire engine from the Bomet County Government was called in but reportedly arrived about an hour later, slowing down containment efforts.
Despite the delay, firefighters eventually managed to bring the inferno under control and prevented it from spreading to nearby buildings. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported.
Police confirmed that detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Chepalungu have taken over the case to determine the fire’s origin and assess the extent of damage.
Makimeny Location Chief Francis Mwei urged the County Government of Bomet to prioritize upgrading local roads, saying poor infrastructure hindered emergency response efforts.
“The fire engines struggled to reach the scene because most of our town roads are in bad shape,” Mwei said.
Authorities have assured traders that a full investigation report will be released soon. Meanwhile, residents and local leaders are calling for improved fire preparedness measures and better infrastructure to prevent similar disasters in the future.
