Traders at Nairobi’s Gikomba Market are once again reeling from heavy losses after a fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday, barely two months after a similar incident razed parts of the market. The blaze, which erupted around 3 a.m. in the footwear section adjacent to Lamu Road in the Majengo, Pumwani area, was confirmed by Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan.
According to preliminary reports, there were no casualties or injuries reported. Firefighters from the Nairobi City County, supported by local volunteers, managed to contain the inferno before it could spread further.
“A massive fire erupted in the footwear section of Gikomba Market, adjacent to Lamu Road in Majengo in Pumwani at around 3 am. The county fire engine has arrived, and firefighters and local volunteers are battling to squash the inferno,” said Hassan in a statement.
This incident follows a devastating fire on April 1, 2025, that originated in the ‘Kwa Mbao’ section near the Gikomba fire station. That blaze destroyed over 500 businesses and spread to a nearby bus terminal. Traders at the time blamed faulty electrical connections for the tragedy.
The latest fire adds to a long list of similar incidents at East Africa’s largest open-air market. Gikomba has witnessed numerous blazes over the years, with significant fires reported in 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, and twice in 2024.
Traders are now demanding urgent intervention and permanent solutions from both the county and national governments. Many have called for improved infrastructure, proper electrical inspections, and enhanced surveillance to prevent arson or accidental fires.
“This is not just bad luck; it’s a pattern. We need answers, we need justice, and we need assurance that our livelihoods are protected,” said one frustrated trader.
As investigations into the latest fire begin, many traders are left starting from scratch yet again. For now, the cycle of destruction and rebuilding at Gikomba continues, highlighting the pressing need for long-term safety and structural reforms in the market.
