Traders at Nairobi’s bustling Marikiti market are grappling with heavy losses following a devastating fire that engulfed several stalls late at night on June 29, 2025.
The incident happened days after traders and other investors in Nairobi Town decried losses after the said goons looted and burnt their commodities during the Gen Z protests on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
According to the police report, they have arrested the individuals who orchestrated the June 25 protests pending further probe, as the authorities assured the public all persons of interest will be arraigned in court.
The blaze, which broke out just after midnight in the market’s eastern wing, spread rapidly through a maze of closely packed wooden structures, leaving dozens of vendors displaced and their goods in ruins.
Witnesses say the flames roared through the stall block within minutes, consuming garments, electronics, and perishable food items. One trader recounted the harrowing moments as he tried to salvage his wares.
“I woke up to smoke and yelled for help, but by the time I reached my stall, everything was already gone. My whole week’s work—gone in seconds. I don’t know how I’ll recover,” James Kariuki, a trader at Marikiti market, lamented.
Trader’s plea
Another affected trader, Aisha Hassan, expressed her gut-wrenching loss: “These were not just goods—they were our savings, our livelihoods” she said.
The stall, which sold household wares, was destroyed.
“I had already paid rent for the next month and stocked supplies. Now I have nothing left,” Hassan said.
According to Hassan, the proximity of the wooden stalls and the lack of accessible hydrants hampered their efforts.
“We worked tirelessly, but the fire spread swiftly due to the dense layout and flammable materials,” she explained.
The police are now investigating the fire’s cause. Initial signs suggest a possible electrical fault, though arson has not been ruled out.
The fire has left at least 50 traders displaced, according to witnesses. Many are left without a day-to-day income and are appealing for urgent assistance.
“We need immediate help—temporary stalls or financial aid. We cannot afford another day without work. They must set up support for us. We cannot lose our families’ only source of income,” traders pleaded.
