The Mitumba Consortium Association of Kenya (MCAK) has called for the immediate operationalisation of the Gikomba Fire Station following the latest deadly blaze at the market, saying improved emergency response systems are necessary to protect traders and their businesses.
In a statement issued on June 22, MCAK said the recently completed fire station, which was constructed to strengthen emergency response within the market, was not operational during the latest incident.
The association said activating the facility would help enhance preparedness and enable quicker responses to future emergencies in one of Kenya’s busiest informal trading centres.
“We therefore call upon Governor Sakaja and Nairobi County Government to explain why the Gikomba Fire Station remains non-operational and to immediately operationalise the facility,” MCAK said.
The call follows a devastating fire that broke out at Gikomba Market on June 21, leaving two people dead, at least 17 others injured and causing widespread destruction of merchandise and business structures.
The incident once again highlighted the vulnerability of traders who have repeatedly suffered losses from fires that have struck the market over the years.
MCAK said traders and stakeholders had previously engaged authorities on the need to improve market safety, including strengthening fire prevention mechanisms, emergency access routes and disaster preparedness measures.
The association further urged the national and county governments to accelerate modernisation of market infrastructure, install and maintain effective fire safety systems and establish a comprehensive disaster response framework for major markets.
“Gikomba is not merely a marketplace; it is the economic lifeline of thousands of Kenyan families and one of the most important centres of informal trade in the country,” the statement said.
The association noted that the mitumba sector plays a significant role in creating employment, supporting entrepreneurship and providing affordable clothing to millions of Kenyans.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja assured affected traders that no one will be displaced following the fire, saying the county government will work towards restoring normal operations at the market.
MCAK said it remains ready to collaborate with government agencies and other stakeholders to promote safer, more resilient and dignified trading environments for traders.
The latest fire is the latest in a series of devastating incidents that have repeatedly affected Gikomba Market, one of Kenya's largest trading hubs and a key source of income for thousands of small-scale traders.
Over the years, fires have become a recurring challenge at the market, destroying property worth millions of shillings and leaving traders struggling to rebuild their businesses.
The incidents have frequently triggered concerns over inadequate fire safety infrastructure, poor emergency access routes and delayed response times.
Gikomba serves as a major centre for second-hand clothes, shoes and household goods, attracting traders and customers from Nairobi and other parts of the country.
For many families, income generated from the market supports school fees, rent, food and healthcare expenses.
The tragedy has renewed calls for authorities to strengthen fire prevention measures and improve disaster preparedness at informal markets.
As investigations into the cause of the latest fire continue, traders are hoping for support to help them recover while stakeholders push for long-term solutions aimed at preventing the repeated destruction that has come to characterise one of Nairobi's busiest markets.
