Traders at Mathare market in Isiolo town are counting losses after goods worth over Ksh1 million were gutted in a mysterious fire on Monday night.
Speaking to K24 Digital Agnes Kendi, who deals in the cereal business at the market, said delayed response by firefighters from the county government dealt the traders a huge blow in their efforts to salvage their goods.
Perennial fires at Mathare market
A distressed Kendi noted that frequent fires experienced after every general election have left traders devastated.
Kendi lost everything including her new stock. She called on the police to speed up investigations to establish the cause of the inferno.
Wilson Gituma, who unsuccessfully ran Wabera Ward seat, said the situation should be addressed with urgency by both the local and national government, to ensure traders are compensated to help them get back on their feet.
The politician alleged that those behind the fire want to force traders out of Mathare area, saying construction of the modern market should be fast-tracked so that the affected traders can relocate.
According to Gituma, the inferno spread fast because of most of the structures were made from timber.
Rahama Khadija, who owned a wholesale general shop at the market, said the perpetrators of the heinous act should be brought to book.
“I do not know where to start. I have been here for the past 20 years and after every five years, we lose our properties to fire. The politicians should leave us in peace,” Khadija lamented.
