State suspects foul play in Gikomba fire, Uhuru promises to rebuild it
Initial investigations into the Friday morning fire at Gikomba market point to foul play, as President Uhuru Kenyatta said the market will be rebuilt soon.
“We pledge to support traders affected by fire at Gikomba. We will rebuild the market… I direct security officers to investigate the cause of the fire and bring the culprits to book,” President Kenyatta said while on tour in Meru county.
The early morning fire destroyed property estimated to be worth millions of shillings.
In a statement, Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri said a probe had been initiated and warned that action would be taken against any culpable individual.
ESTABLISH CAUSE
“From the initial reports that we are getting, we are saddened that they appear to point at foul play. The government has set in motion investigations into the cause of the fire to fully establish what caused it,” Mr Kiunjuri said.
He assured the affected traders that the government will ensure fire incidents do not recur by putting up permanent structures and ensuring there are access roads within the market.
“I would like to assure the affected traders that we will not abandon them. The National Government in collaboration with the County Government will explore ways of ensuring that businesses in this very important market for such a big section of the city’s population are protected against such disasters,” the statement read.
The National Disaster Management Unit Deputy Director Mwachi Pius said the efforts of the county fire department, National Youth Service and Security firm G4S were hampered by accessibility and the closely packed nature of the combustible market structures.
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