Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has assured Gikomba market traders that none will be displaced following a fire that broke out early on June 21.
The fire started around 4 a.m. in the fish section of the market and spread to several stalls, destroying goods worth millions of shillings. Kenya Red Cross teams responded and reported attending to 17 people with minor injuries including smoke inhalation and burns.
Sakaja stated that every affected trader will be allowed to return and rebuild at their original spots. “I assure you that no one will take advantage of this fire to displace any trader from their spaces,” he said. He added that modernization efforts will continue without displacing traders.
The governor condemned attacks by some youth on a National Youth Service fire engine, which disrupted early containment efforts. County teams used water bowsers to bring the blaze under control after 10 hours. An enumeration of affected traders is now underway.
