Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced plans to investigate the frequent causes of fires in Gikomba and Too markets.
In his statement shared via his official X account on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, Kindiki revealed that the government had instructed relevant agencies to investigate the fires and provide a comprehensive long term solution to avoid reoccurrence.
“The Government has instructed relevant agencies to investigate the cause of frequent fires in markets within Nairobi City County, including Gikomba and Toi Markets, and provide a comprehensive long-term solution to avoid reoccurrence,” Kindiki’s statement reads in parts.
He also shared that as part of the solutions to the fires, the state will construct 400 modern markets fully equipped with amenities including fire fighting equipment across the country, with 10 being in Nairobi.
“Part of the solution to this problem is the construction of modern markets, fully equipped with all amenities including fire fighting equipment.
“400 such markets are being constructed across the Country, including 10 within Nairobi City County,” the statement added.
The DP’s statement followed after his brief meeting with nearly 400 traders who were affected by the fires last week.
At the meeting, he was flanked by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Charles Njagua-the commissioner, commission on administrative justice- and the leadership of Gikomba Market.
Last week, Gikomba which has constantly found itself in the grip of continuous fires, recorded another fire incident that destroyed properties of unknown value.
The early morning inferno went on for several hours damaging stalls among other items.
A section of bus station was also destroyed by the fire. Traders who were at the scene informed the media that they suspected that a faulty power line may have caused the fire.