Fire in Mathare’s Mlango Kubwa leaves trail of destruction hours after Gikomba Market tragedy
A fire in Mlango Kubwa, Mathare, has destroyed homes and businesses and forced residents to flee, coming just hours after a deadly Gikomba Market blaze.
A fire has broken out in Mlango Kubwa, Mathare, destroying homes and businesses and forcing residents to flee, just hours after a deadly Gikomba Market blaze left casualties and widespread damage in Nairobi. (Photo: Screengrab)
A fire has broken out in Mlango Kubwa, Mathare, Nairobi, destroying homes and small businesses and forcing residents to flee for safety as emergency teams work to contain the blaze.
The incident comes just hours after a separate fire at Gikomba Market in Nairobi, which left at least two people dead, several others injured, and caused extensive destruction of property worth millions of shillings in one of the city’s largest trading hubs.
Former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo raised the alarm in a post on X on Sunday, June 21, 2026, saying emergency responders had already been alerted and were actively engaged at the scene.
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“We have received distress calls concerning a fire in Mathare’s Mlango Kubwa, which has ravaged homes and small businesses, forcing many residents to flee for safety,” she said. “We have been in touch with emergency teams on the ground who are working hard to contain the situation.”
Odhiambo noted that the incident came shortly after an early morning fire at Gikomba Market.
“Coming off the back of the early morning fire in Gikomba, this highlights the urgent need for a coordinated plan for fire safety, accessible emergency services, and dignified housing so that communities like Mathare are not left to face disaster alone time and again,” she added.
Residents said the fire spread rapidly through densely packed structures made of timber, iron sheets, and other highly flammable materials, leaving widespread destruction behind.
Authorities have not confirmed the cause of the fire, and investigations are expected to begin once the blaze is fully contained. Officials have also not yet provided details on the full extent of the damage or possible casualties.
The latest incident adds to growing concern over recurring urban fires in Nairobi, particularly in informal settlements and high-density trading areas, where fast-spreading flames often overwhelm response efforts and leave residents vulnerable to repeated disasters.