A major fire erupted at the juakali section of Gikomba Market on Friday, February 20, creating dense smoke plumes that filled the air and caused widespread fear among market vendors and customers.
The origin of the blaze remains undetermined, with reports indicating merchandise of unspecified value was destroyed as stall proprietors frantically attempted to save their belongings.
Footage shared across various online platforms displays portions of the market completely consumed by fire, as vendors stood by helplessly watching the flames advance through tightly packed stalls.
A Nairobi City County firefighting unit from Kangundo Road Fire Station arrived at the location, where emergency personnel worked alongside local traders to control the destructive flames.
No official statement has been released regarding the full extent of the destruction or potential casualties, while ongoing efforts to completely extinguish the fire continue.
Gikomba, regarded as one of Nairobi’s most vibrant open-air markets, has previously experienced numerous fires that have resulted in substantial financial setbacks for local traders.
During 2025 alone, vendors faced significant financial hardship after separate fire outbreaks destroyed hundreds of market stalls in various zones.
In April of last year, the timber section was ravaged by fire, consuming products of undetermined value. It is believed the fire commenced in the early morning hours.
Subsequently in May, a large-scale fire devastated the footwear area near Majengo, causing damage valued at more than Ksh300 million.
In light of these recurring incidents, Nairobi county authorities established a specialized Gikomba Fire Station to enable rapid emergency responses.
Furthermore, the national government mandated the issuance of formal land titles for the market within 90 days following November 2024 to prevent unauthorized land occupation, with many merchants suspecting that the repeated fires were orchestrated attempts to seize control of the property.
Given that the majority of stalls consist of wooden structures and corrugated metal sheets, the government implemented measures to protect over 1,700 traders.