Traders at Mutindwa Market in Umoja are counting losses after a massive fire tore through the busy trading center on Saturday, January 3, leaving a trail of destruction.
Emergency response teams rushed to the scene as thick plumes of smoke billowed across the neighborhood, with firefighters working tirelessly to contain the inferno before it spread to nearby homes.
The blaze, suspected to have been caused by a faulty transformer in the area, quickly spread through the market stalls.
Reports indicate the fire was encroaching on residential homes, forcing residents to evacuate as emergency crews battled the flames.
Officials have advised residents to stay clear of the area while emergency operations are underway.
The full scale of the damage and possible casualties is still unclear, with authorities yet to release an official statement on the incident.
For traders at Mutindwa Market, this is a nightmare they've lived through before.
The market has been hit by recurring fires over the years, with the most devastating incident occurring on June 14, 2023.
That early morning inferno razed the entire market to the ground at around 2am, leaving over 800 traders without their stalls and stock.
The 2023 fire also damaged the neighboring Kenya Assemblies of God (KAG) Church.
Traders had suspected arson, alleging the fire may have been intentionally set to force them to vacate the space.
They also criticized the Nairobi County fire department for delayed response, claiming that the fire engines arrived over an hour late with insufficient water.
Saturday's fire adds to a growing list of market fires in Nairobi, including those at Gikomba and Toi markets.
