On Thursday morning, traders in Gikomba Market woke up to counting losses as property of unknown value was razed down in a fire early morning for the umpteenth time.
According to traders, the fire burnt parts the mitumba (second-hand clothes) and cereals sections with questions starting to emerge about the faces behind the fires at the market.
This boards another blow to the traders who were already battling with the ban on imported second-hand clothes meant to contain the spread of COVID-19 while the pandemic itself has led to diminished sales.
The fire department arrived on the scene and salvaged what they could before turning their attention to assessing the damage caused and try to establish the cause of the fire.
However that could be easier said than done as fires in Gikomba have now become the norm averaging at least one huge fire in the last few years.
In February, property of unknown value was reduced to ashes with the fire burning down shoe and clothing stalls.
Conversely, in 2019, three separate fires razed down property worth millions attracting the attention of Kenyans to the fires with many suspecting foul play.
The last incident took place in August when property estimated at Sh100 million was reduced to ashes.
Nairobi County governor Mike Sonko then said that building a market would be the solution to the perennial problem.
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