Dawn Disaster in Kibra: Toi Market Traders Watch Livelihoods Go Up in Flames

Business owners at Toi Market in Kibra Constituency are picking up the pieces after a destructive fire swept through the busy trading hub early Monday. The blaze erupted at about 7:00 am, catching many off guard and spreading quickly through the tightly packed stalls.

Witnesses say the fire broke out near Toi Primary School before racing across the market. Early indications point to a possible electrical fault, though investigations are ongoing to establish the exact cause.

The damage is extensive. Police estimates indicate around 250 stalls were reduced to ashes, with goods inside completely destroyed. Nearly 600 traders have been affected, many losing their only source of income in a matter of hours.

For some, the loss is overwhelming. George, a trader at the market, said he has not even been able to access his stall due to blocked pathways.

“I have not even gone to see my stalls because there is nowhere I can pass,” he said. “I urge the government to help us. I have lost so much. I have lost goods worth half a million.”

Elizabeth Atieno, another trader, said her business had just been restocked using a loan, only for everything to be wiped out.

“I have incurred a great loss, and now I don’t have anything,” she said. “I pray that the government aids me.”

Firefighters from Nairobi County responded and managed to contain the blaze before it spread further. Despite the scale of destruction, no casualties were reported.

The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in informal markets, where congestion and unsafe electrical connections increase fire risks. As traders sift through the debris, many are now calling for urgent support and long-term solutions to prevent similar tragedies.

For those affected, recovery will not be easy. What remains is uncertainty, resilience, and hope for assistance to rebuild their businesses.