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Bomet: Traders count losses after night fire razes 50 shops
09th October, 2025 10:37 AM
Caption:Millions Lost in Night Blaze at Makimeny Centre in Bomet.VIDEO/K24TV A late-night fire ravaged Makimeny Market in Chepalungu Sub-County, completely razing over 50 business premises on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
The fire erupted at around 8:00 p.m. and destroyed property of unknown value belonging to the business community of Makimeny.
According to a police report from Makimeny Police Post, the cause of the massive blaze remains a mystery, and investigations have been launched to determine what sparked the fire.
“Fire outbreak occurred at Makimeny Market within this command. The fire raged over 50 shops, and the cause of the fire is yet to be established,” the police report read.
Police officers from Makimeny Police Post, the area chief, and residents were the first responders but were quickly overwhelmed by the intensity of the blaze.
A Bomet County Government fire engine was requested and reportedly arrived at the scene about an hour after the outbreak.
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The firefighters managed to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to other nearby shops despite the delay.
Police have confirmed that no casualties were reported in the incident.
“No casualties reported and properties of an unknown value destroyed,” the statement continues.
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Chepalungu have taken over the case and are working to establish the origin of the fire and the full scope of the destruction.
No arrests have been made so far as investigations continue. Authorities have promised to provide a full report on the findings soon.
Makimeny Location Chief Francis Mwei has appealed to the County Government of Bomet to prioritise the construction of better roads within local towns to enhance emergency response.
According to Mwei, the poor state of streets in Makimeny made it difficult for the fire engine to access the area during the inferno, though they managed to reach the scene after some time.
“The fire engines struggled to reach the scene because most of our town roads are in bad shape,” Mwei said.
Elsewhere, a tragic fire has claimed the lives of three family members in Tongaren, Bungoma County.
He added, “If the roads were properly maintained and well-structured, the situation could have been contained much faster.”
Mwei further urged the county government to ensure proper planning and partitioning of buildings to create emergency corridors.
“The county should ensure that during landscaping and town planning, enough space is set aside for emergency access. Corridors between buildings are crucial in preventing such disasters from spreading,” he added.
Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok described the incident as a major setback to local traders and their families, who lost millions in property.
“The loss of property runs into millions of shillings. It is a big blow to the traders and their families. I extend my heartfelt sympathies to the Makimeny business community whose source of livelihood has been destroyed. I promise to stand in solidarity with you as you plan to rebuild,” Barchok said.
The governor further appealed to members of the public and well-wishers to support the affected traders as they work to recover from the tragedy, adding that his administration will stand with the business community in restoring the market and ensuring that Makimeny will rise again.
“I promise to stand in solidarity with you as you plan to rebuild. I also call upon well-wishers to join hands with us and support Makimeny. Investigations into the cause of the fire are currently underway. Mutyo missing (Poleni sana). Makimeny shall rise again,” Barchok appealed.
