Traders count losses after Nyayo Market fire tragedy

A section of traders at Nyayo Market in the Ngara area, Nairobi are counting losses following a fire incident.

Several structures with valuables that included second-hand clothes and shoes were Sunday evening burnt down in the incident.

Police said they are yet to establish the cause of the fire that started from one of the affected structures and spread fast to the rest.

Nairobi Regional Police Commander Adamson Bungei said up to 50 structures were flattened in the incident.

He said no injuries were reported but many traders lost their valuables.

“We are yet to determine the cause of the fire for now but a team of investigators is on the ground pursuing the matter,” he said.

A fire engine from Nairobi County joined some of the traders and locals in fighting the inferno.

Police said there were few incidents of looting but they arrived in time to ensure security for the valuables.

Some of the traders said they lost all their stocks adding the incident had reduced them to zero even as others started to reconstruct the affected structures.

Police say they are investigating the incident to take action. The market is one of the popular places for second-hand clothes and shoes.

Officials from the county government were expected Monday at the scene to join the investigation and explore ways of helping the affected group reconstruct the structures.

An official also denied claims the fire was started intentionally to pave the way for a government project in the area terming them as lies.

Such incidents have been common in informal settlements negatively affecting traders and residents.

Lack of access roads to the affected areas hampers emergency response whenever there is such an incident.

Officials at the county say they are pushing for expansion of the roads in the affected areas to enhance responses.

Traders are also encouraged to construct permanent structures that can resist such fire incidents.