Nairobi News

Traders in Toi market in Kibra Sub-County are counting losses after a fire on Thursday, July 27, 2023, razed down some stalls at the Makina entrance.

Nairobi News has established that the fire kicked off a few minutes past 9 pm, but county firefighters arrived in time and put it off.

Mr James Birundu is one of the traders affected by the fire, which started after he had just closed his stall.

“I was heading home when I was informed that my shop was on fire which forced me to return back there but it was already too late,” said Mr Birundu.

Also read: Exclusive: Toi market booming a month after fire wiped out businesses

Another local, Clarence Isiji, who witnessed the fire and informed people through Facebook, said that the cause of the fire is yet to be established.

“It is true that Toi Market is on fire and the cause is yet to be established,” Mr Isiji said.

This is the fourth time fire is razing a section of Toi Market making traders to count losses.

On June 11, 2023, a fire raged down, leading to the loss of millions, with Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja saying that he had decided to set aside a firefighting truck to deal with a similar situation in case it arose.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna also asked the police officers stationed within three markets; Toi, Mutindwa, and Gikomba.

The incident saw APA Insurance compensate the traders. Musoni Microfinance and Insurtech Turaco also compensated the traders.

“APA Insurance, as the underwriter through Turaco has worked to ensure a fast claim payout within the last month to enable the Musoni traders to embark on rebuilding their businesses,” Group CEO, of Apollo Group Ashok Shah said.

In past incidents, the police were unable to find out what caused the fire even after promising to launch investigations.

Also read: Jalang’o’s promise to assist Toi market traders after inferno