Kibra MP pledges support to traders affected by Toi market fire

Kibra MP Peter Orero has pledged support to traders who lost their livelihoods after a fire destroyed stalls at Toi Market on Monday morning.

In a statement, Orero expressed solidarity with the affected traders, noting that Toi Market is the backbone of the local economy.

“My heart goes out to the many traders who have lost their livelihoods and property in this blaze. Toi Market is the backbone of our community’s economy, and I know the pain this loss brings. We are committed to standing with you,” he said.

The MP also addressed concerns about nearby schools. As the fire raged, students at Toi Primary School were released early as a precautionary measure.

Orero said that the school is not under threat, emphasising that the evacuation was purely a safety measure while emergency teams worked in the area.

“I want to reassure all parents that the school is not under threat; the evacuation was a safety priority while emergency teams worked nearby,” he said.

This came after the fire broke out early Monday morning, spreading rapidly through several stalls, destroying goods and property of unknown value.

Witnesses said that the blaze started suddenly and quickly engulfed a section of the busy market, leaving many traders unable to salvage their merchandise.

“The fire spread very fast through the stalls. We tried to save some of our goods, but most of them were already burning. I have lost everything, and I don’t know where to start again,” said one trader.

Orero praised the swift response of firefighters, security officers, local leaders, and community members who acted promptly to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby homes and institutions.

“Thanks to the swift intervention of emergency responders and local teams, the fire has been successfully contained and is no longer at risk of spreading,” he said.

However, some traders criticised the response time of emergency services, claiming firefighters arrived late as the flames continued to destroy property.

“We called for help, but the firefighters took a long time to arrive. By the time they came, many stalls had already been destroyed,” another trader said.

The cause of the fire has not yet been established, and authorities are expected to launch investigations.

The fire comes amid a worrying pattern of similar incidents at Toi Market over the years. Known for its dense clusters of wooden stalls and vibrant trade in second-hand clothes, shoes, and household goods, the market has suffered multiple devastating fires in the past, including major incidents in 2024. 

Each blaze has left traders struggling to recover, often losing goods purchased on credit.

 For many traders in Kibra, the market is more than just a business centre; it is a critical source of income that sustains entire families. The loss of goods and property during such incidents can have a severe and immediate impact on livelihoods.

Orero called on residents to remain calm and avoid the affected areas while authorities continue their work to assess damages and investigate the cause of the fire.

He urged full cooperation with emergency teams to ensure that recovery and support efforts proceed smoothly.

“I urge everyone to remain calm and avoid the affected area for the time being to allow emergency teams to complete their work. Please continue to cooperate fully with the authorities on the ground,” Orero said.

Orero has pledged that the government, community leaders, and relevant agencies will work together to ensure that traders receive support and that steps are taken to prevent similar disasters in the future.