The recent fire at Toi Market, which razed down a significant portion of the market and resulted in the tragic loss of four lives, has prompted a wave of support from prominent leaders and community members. The inferno, which broke out in the early hours of Saturday, has left many traders counting their losses and struggling to recover from the devastation.
In response to the disaster, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has stepped up with a substantial donation of Ksh. 1.5 million to assist the affected traders. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Kibra MP Peter Orero have also contributed generously, with Sifuna donating Ksh. 250,000 and Orero providing 200 iron sheets. Business operators have decided to channel the donated funds into purchasing additional construction materials, including more iron sheets, to help rebuild their stalls.
Sarangombe Ward MCA Lawrence Otieno, who has been actively involved in coordinating the relief efforts, expressed gratitude for the support and provided an update on the aid being distributed. “Raila Odinga’s donation of 1,000 iron sheets, combined with Orero’s 200 iron sheets and another batch of 1,000 iron sheets at the Deputy County Commissioner’s office, will be crucial in the rebuilding process. We also have food supplies to help sustain the affected traders during this challenging period,” said Otieno.
The fire, which remains under investigation, is the fourth such incident at Toi Market. The recurrent nature of the fires has added to the community’s frustration and grief, particularly given the recent loss of four lives, including two unidentified individuals. The tragedy has highlighted the ongoing issue of land disputes in the area, with allegations of land grabbers attempting to displace traders. Otieno assured that legal measures have been taken to protect the market’s land from encroachment, noting that previous court rulings have favored the traders.
“The land belongs to the county government, and we are committed to ensuring that land grabbers do not succeed in their attempts to take over this valuable space,” Otieno emphasized.
In addition to financial and material aid, the affected traders have been urged to seek further assistance from well-wishers. The community’s resilience is evident as many business operators have already started rebuilding their stalls, hoping to resume operations as soon as possible. However, there is criticism regarding the response time of emergency services. Brian, a trader who witnessed the fire, criticized the delay in fire engine arrival. “The fire engine arrived around 6am, by which time half of the market was already engulfed in flames. The second truck arrived from the Department of Defence (DOD) around 7am. If the response had been quicker, we might have been able to contain the fire and prevent further damage,” Brian lamented.
The tragic incident has also led to efforts to support the families of the victims. Plans for the burial of the deceased are underway, and the community continues to rally around those who have lost loved ones.
As the recovery process begins, the support from national leaders and local government officials stands as a beacon of hope for the traders of Toi Market. The road to rebuilding will be long and challenging, but the solidarity and generosity of the Kenyan community provide a glimmer of hope amidst the devastation.
