Gikomba Fire Contained After Nearly 10 Hours, 17 People Injured

A major fire tore through Nairobi’s Gikomba Market early on Sunday, killing two people, injuring several others, and destroying property worth millions of shillings.

The blaze broke out at about 4 a.m. and burned for nearly ten hours before firefighters brought it under control. According to the Kenya Red Cross, 17 people suffered minor injuries, including burns and smoke inhalation, and received treatment at a first aid station established at the Gikomba Fire Station.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja later confirmed that a man and a woman had died in the incident. The fire also injured four firefighters who were involved in efforts to contain the flames.

Traders described significant losses as the fire destroyed stalls and merchandise. Lydia Aurelia, whose clothing business was among those affected, said she was alerted by phone calls during the night. 

“Everything is gone with the fire. The clothes we were to sell on Monday have all been burnt,” she said. 

She added that many families who depend on the market for their income now face uncertainty. Another trader, Mercy Muthoni, said years of investment had been lost within a few hours. She described the destruction as devastating for business owners who rely on daily trade.

Governor Sakaja visited the site and offered condolences to the families of those who died. He assured traders that the county government would support those affected and said no traders would lose their allocated spaces during reconstruction. 

He also pledged that rebuilding efforts would allow traders to return to their original locations while plans to modernise the market continue. The governor commended emergency responders for their work but criticised attacks on firefighters during the operation. A National Youth Service fire engine was reportedly stoned and blocked by a group of youths as crews responded to the emergency.

The fire occurred near the Gorofani section of Gikomba Market, which has experienced several major fires over the years. Similar incidents were recorded in 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2024. Two separate fires were also reported at the market in 2025.