Hundreds of traders in Machakos Town are counting losses after a massive fire razed sections of the town's mitumba market, reducing stalls and merchandise to ashes.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The blaze, which broke out on the night of Saturday, July 4, spread rapidly through the market, destroying goods worth millions of shillings before it was brought under control.

Videos seen by this publication show towering flames engulfing stalls as thick plumes of smoke billow into the sky.

Traders and onlookers can be seen watching in disbelief as the inferno tears through the market, destroying businesses and merchandise.

📌 What You Need to Know

However, firefighters and emergency responders later came and managed to contain the inferno, although severe damage had already been done.

Traders who arrived early in the morning were met with scenes of destruction, with burnt structures scattered across the affected area.

Following the incident, Machakos County governor Wavinya Ndeti expressed concern over the incident, urging security agencies to launch a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire.

"I am deeply saddened by the devastating fire at Machakos Mitumba Market that has destroyed businesses and disrupted the livelihoods of many hardworking traders," Wavinya stated.

She called for swift action to determine whether the fire was accidental, noting the importance of safeguarding market infrastructure and protecting traders from repeated losses.

"I urge the relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire and to share their findings with the public as soon as possible," she added.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke