Kindiki orders probe into recurring Gikomba, Toi market fires
The Deputy President dismissed suggestions that the incidents were accidental. "It defies logic to imagine these are mere accidents when they keep happening year after year. We will get to the bottom of this matter and resolve it permanently."
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced that relevant agencies are investigating the root causes of recurring fires in Gikomba, Toi, and other major markets following President William Ruto's directive.
Speaking on Wednesday during a meeting with traders affected by the latest Gikomba fire, Kindiki said that the investigation follows President Ruto’s directive.
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"Going forward, we must determine the root cause of these repeated fires in Gikomba, Toi and other markets. The President has therefore directed relevant agencies to investigate."
The Deputy President dismissed suggestions that the incidents were accidental. "It defies logic to imagine these are mere accidents when they keep happening year after year. We will get to the bottom of this matter and resolve it permanently."
Kindiki also announced plans to construct modern, high-rise markets in affected areas to offer traders the facilities they need.
"Our agenda for business people is to ensure that all traders have dignified places to conduct their businesses. BottomUp Economic Transformation means that even business people who have small, micro and medium businesses should trade in a dignified place with all facilities they require," Kindiki said.
“Water, lighting, good infrastructure, and that is why we are constructing 400 modern markets across Kenya,” he added.
Ten of those markets are being done within Nairobi as national government projects. “Once we finish constructing, we will hand them over to the respective county governments to run them together with the traders so that we will not be having this issue of fire every time.”
He further noted that the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura) and Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) have been directed to immediately start work on expanding access roads in the Gikomba, Muthurwa, and Toi markets.
This is aimed at easing the movement of people and goods and ensuring a faster response to emergencies if any fire breaks out again.
For years, traders have borne the brunt of recurrent fires that have cost them millions, with Gikomba and Toi markets being the worst hit.
The tragedy has affected a wide range of traders, including food vendors, second-hand clothes sellers, carpenters, and other business people who depend on these markets for their livelihood.
Past incidents have led to promises of investigations and the construction of new markets, but a lasting solution has remained elusive.
In wrapping up his address, Kindiki emphasised the administration’s determination to modernise trade and protect traders from the recurring threat of fire.
For decades, Gikomba and Toi markets have been a source of income for many, including food vendors, second-hand clothes traders, carpenters, business people, and many more, but the frequent fires have left many reeling in losses.
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