NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 20- A fierce fire raged through the southern part of the Gikomba Market opposite Jua Kali and adjacent to Muthurwa Primary School in Pumwani affecting several structures.
This is yet another fire to affect the market last night through this morning. Firefighters from various government units including the KDF arrived at the scene to contain the spread of the fire.
The cause of the Wednesday morning fire is yet to be known but property worth millions of shillings was destroyed.
In August this year, another fire broke out affecting traders with stores along Molo Line area also known as Ghorofani.
The fire also razed down four residential flats in the area forcing residents to spend the night in the cold.
The government has on many occasions promised to end the perennial problem. It remains just that, a promise.
In June last year, an inferno razed down the market’s cereals and second-hand clothing sections.
On February 1 the same year, property of unknown value was reduced to ashes at the market.
In 2019, Kenya’s largest open-air market went up in flames at least three times.
In August, over 900 traders at Gikomba sued the Nairobi County government demanding Sh20 billion in compensation over frequent fires at the market.
In the ongoing case before the High Court, the traders want the county government to pay them for direct financial loss and compensation for loss of business opportunity and re-establishment costs.
The traders listed 15 fire incidences since 2015 saying the frequent occurrences show that the county government has failed to take any or adequate precautions for their safety and that of the public while doing their business at Gikomba Market.
The traders have cited a fire incident that occurred at Gikomba Market on June 28, 2018, in which 15 people died while hundreds sustained severe injuries.
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