Traders at Nairobi’s Marikiti Market are reeling from significant losses following a devastating fire that engulfed several stalls on June 29, 2025. The fire, which broke out just after midnight in the market’s eastern wing, quickly spread through the densely packed wooden structures, destroying a wide range of goods and leaving dozens of traders displaced.
This tragic incident occurred just days after another blow to traders, when looters took advantage of the unrest during the Gen Z protests on June 25, 2025, burning and stealing commodities. The impact of these two events has left many traders financially devastated and uncertain about their future.
Witnesses describe a scene of chaos as flames quickly consumed the market’s stall block. Traders, many of whom had their livelihoods invested in the goods displayed in their stalls, watched helplessly as their inventory went up in smoke. One trader, James Kariuki, recalled waking to the smell of smoke and rushing to his stall only to find everything destroyed. “I tried to save my goods, but it was too late. My entire week’s earnings are gone,” he said.
Aisha Hassan, another affected trader, shared the emotional toll the fire had taken. Her stall, which sold household wares, was also completely destroyed. “I had already paid my rent for the next month and stocked up on supplies. Now, I have nothing left to show for my hard work,” she said, her voice heavy with frustration.
The traders have pointed to the market’s infrastructure as a contributing factor to the fire’s swift spread. The tightly packed wooden stalls and the lack of accessible fire hydrants made it nearly impossible to contain the blaze in its early stages. Despite the efforts of nearby traders and passersby to extinguish the flames, the fire overwhelmed them due to the dense layout of the stalls and the highly flammable materials used in their construction.
Initial investigations by the authorities suggest that an electrical fault could have sparked the fire, although arson remains a possibility. Police are conducting further inquiries, and they have assured the public that those responsible for the fire will be held accountable.
The impact of the fire on the traders has been devastating. At least 50 traders have been displaced, leaving them without a means of income. Many of them have called for urgent assistance, asking for temporary stalls or financial aid to help them recover. “We cannot afford another day without work. Our families rely on this market for survival,” one trader pleaded. The traders are hopeful that the government and relevant authorities will provide the support they need to rebuild their businesses and sustain their livelihoods.
