Toi Market traders want county to erect a fence around it after frequent fires

Traders at Toi Market in Kibera have urged the county government to fulfil its promise of fencing the market.

The traders, who last month suffered significant losses due to a fire, said that erecting a fence and providing security personnel to guard the premises would be the only way to prevent further incidents of fire.

The traders, led by Okoth Ong'ayo, stated that the market now urgently requires a new fence and enhanced security to ensure its safety.

"If we had a fence and security guards manning the market, we could significantly reduce incidents of fires," said Okoth.

Tobby Naloba, who represents women traders in the market, added that a new fence would deter people living around the market from accessing it at night.

"Erecting a fence would ensure that only the watchmen are present in the market at night," Naloba said.

Naloba told the Eastleigh Voice on Friday that the traders had rebuilt their stalls and resumed work but needed permanent structures that would be resistant to fire.

"If we had permanent structures and proper security around the market, the impact of these constant fires would not be as severe," she added.

A month ago, the traders suffered losses after a fire razed the stalls in an early morning incident.

Distraught traders at the burnt stalls of Toi Market in Kibera in June. (X/Johnson Sakaja)

Fires in the market are often believed to be caused by faulty electrical lines.

The traders are also requesting that the county government station a fire engine at the market. During the last incident, Nairobi County firefighters arrived several hours late as the fire spread rapidly.

The frequent fires at the market have left traders worried. They say the assistance provided by politicians has not had a significant impact.

Fire incidents

In June 2023, traders awoke to find property worth millions of shillings destroyed by fire.

In November 2021, another fire ravaged a section of the stalls, leaving traders counting heavy losses.

In 2019, two fires broke out in the market within a span of four years following the 2014 fire that destroyed property of unknown value.

The lack of access roads has also been blamed for the slow response of fire services.

In 2018, the market experienced three separate fire incidents, prompting then-President Uhuru Kenyatta to call for investigations and for those responsible to be held accountable.

In June of that year, 15 people died and at least 60 were injured when a section of the market dealing in timber and clothes was burnt.

Last month, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja donated 5,000 iron sheets to help traders rebuild their damaged stalls.

The market, which has experienced five major fires since 2002, remains a challenging place for traders like Naloba, who sells clothing for mothers and children.

"The last fire was the first time the government provided us with substantial assistance to rebuild," Naloba said.

The market is home to approximately 3,000 traders who sell second-hand clothes and food products, such as vegetables and grains.