Traders at Toi Market are facing significant losses after a severe fire destroyed multiple stalls and goods early Saturday morning.
The blaze, which began around 4 a.m., is suspected to have been caused by an electrical fault in one of the market’s wooden structures.
The fire quickly spread, engulfing several stalls and rendering the famous Kibera market completely empty.
Traders, who rushed to the scene to salvage what they could, expressed frustration over the delayed response from the Nairobi County Government’s firefighters.
Despite the fire station being located just a few kilometers away and roads being clear at the time, the firefighters arrived several hours after the blaze started, exacerbating the damage.
Tragically, four people have been confirmed dead in the incident.
Reports suggest that these individuals had gone to rescue their properties from the flames, but were caught in the destructive blaze.
“This fire was caused by an electric fault in one of the wooden houses early this morning,” a trader affected by the blaze told reporters.
The incident marks the fifth major fire at Toi Market in recent years, following a similar devastating inferno barely a year ago.
The market has a troubling history of fire incidents, with traders repeatedly having to rebuild their businesses after each disaster.
Despite numerous appeals for improved safety measures and fire prevention strategies, little progress has been made.
Promises from government officials and politicians have not led to meaningful changes, leaving traders vulnerable and their livelihoods at constant risk.
