A massive fire ravaged Toi market in Nairobi on March 16, 2026, destroying stalls and goods near Moi Girls' High School. Firefighters contained the blaze, and students from nearby Toi Primary School were sent home as a precaution. This incident is the latest in a series of devastating market fires in the city, following the January blaze at Mtindwa market in Umoja.
The fire broke out on Monday morning at the busy Toi market, with flames and thick smoke visible across Nairobi. Traders attempted to salvage property as crowds gathered. Initial concerns were for neighbouring Moi Girls' High School, but the blaze was confined to the market. Kibra MP Peter Orero confirmed containment, thanking responders and the community.
"As a precautionary measure, students [at Toi Primary School] were released and sent home safely. The school is not under threat; the evacuation was a safety priority," Orero posted on Facebook, urging locals to avoid the area.
This follows a deadly fire at Toi two years ago that killed four people and caused millions in damage from an electrical fault. It adds to ongoing challenges with market infrastructure, as seen in recent fires at Mtindwa and Gikomba markets.