The blaze erupted on March 16, disrupting normal business operations at one of the busiest open-air markets in Nairobi.
Eyewitness videos and images circulating online showed thick smoke billowing into the sky as flames rapidly spread through sections of the crowded market.
The market, located near Moi Girls’ School Nairobi, quickly drew the attention of large crowds as traders rushed to salvage whatever property they could from the burning structures.
Initial fears among residents suggested that the fire may have started from the neighbouring school. However, it was later confirmed that the blaze originated within the market itself.
The market, located near Moi Girls’ School Nairobi, quickly drew the attention of large crowds as traders rushed to salvage whatever property they could from the burning structures.
Initial fears among residents suggested that the fire may have started from the neighbouring school. However, it was later confirmed that the blaze originated within the market itself.
The densely packed structures and flammable materials inside the market made it difficult to control the flames in the early stages.
Firefighters from the county emergency response team were deployed to the area and worked for hours to bring the inferno under control.
Firefighters from the county emergency response team were deployed to the area and worked for hours to bring the inferno under control.
At the time of reporting, efforts to completely extinguish the fire were ongoing.
Peter Orero, the Member of Parliament for Kibra, confirmed the incident and later reassured residents that the fire had been successfully contained.
In a statement shared on his social media platforms, the legislator thanked emergency responders and members of the public who helped prevent the blaze from spreading further.
“As a precautionary measure, students were released and sent home safely earlier today. I want to reassure all parents that the school is not under threat; the evacuation was a safety priority while emergency teams worked nearby,” he stated.
The MP urged residents to remain calm and avoid the affected section of the market to allow emergency personnel to complete their work without disruption.
The latest incident has revived painful memories of a previous fire that struck the same market two years ago.
Peter Orero, the Member of Parliament for Kibra, confirmed the incident and later reassured residents that the fire had been successfully contained.
In a statement shared on his social media platforms, the legislator thanked emergency responders and members of the public who helped prevent the blaze from spreading further.
“As a precautionary measure, students were released and sent home safely earlier today. I want to reassure all parents that the school is not under threat; the evacuation was a safety priority while emergency teams worked nearby,” he stated.
The MP urged residents to remain calm and avoid the affected section of the market to allow emergency personnel to complete their work without disruption.
The latest incident has revived painful memories of a previous fire that struck the same market two years ago.
That earlier blaze reportedly claimed four lives and destroyed almost the entire market, leaving hundreds of traders without their sources of livelihood.
Authorities at the time linked the earlier tragedy to an electrical fault, which caused millions of shillings worth of property damage and forced the temporary closure of the market.
Following the earlier disaster, leaders promised to support affected traders and work with both national and county governments to find a lasting solution to prevent recurring fires.
However, the latest blaze has once again raised concerns about safety standards and the vulnerability of informal markets to fire outbreaks.
As traders begin assessing the extent of the damage, many are now calling on authorities to implement stronger safety measures and infrastructure improvements to protect businesses from similar disasters in the future.
Authorities at the time linked the earlier tragedy to an electrical fault, which caused millions of shillings worth of property damage and forced the temporary closure of the market.
Following the earlier disaster, leaders promised to support affected traders and work with both national and county governments to find a lasting solution to prevent recurring fires.
However, the latest blaze has once again raised concerns about safety standards and the vulnerability of informal markets to fire outbreaks.
As traders begin assessing the extent of the damage, many are now calling on authorities to implement stronger safety measures and infrastructure improvements to protect businesses from similar disasters in the future.
