A fire broke out at Toi Market in Kibra, Nairobi, on Saturday August 3, 2024 in the morning, resulting in the heartbreaking deaths of four people including a child.

The victims were reportedly attempting to rescue their belongings when they were overpowered by the flames.

The blaze has had a devastating impact on the market, affecting around 2,000 traders who are now left to assess the extent of their losses.

Many of these traders have faced similar challenges in the past, as Toi Market has a troubling history of frequent fires.

Kenneth Jumba, the chair of Toi Market, has raised suspicions that the fire may have been intentionally set.

His concerns are not unfounded as the market has experienced multiple fires over the years, with no clear answers regarding their causes.

Jumba noted that the market has been plagued by these incidents, and the lack of accountability only adds to the frustration of the traders.

In June 2023, a similar incident resulted in the destruction of property worth millions of shillings, and the market has seen significant fires since 2014.

The recurring nature of these disasters raises serious questions about safety measures and the overall management of the market.

One of the critical issues contributing to the severity of these fires is the lack of adequate access roads, which has hindered the rapid response of fire services.

Meanwhile, there is a growing call for improved safety measures and infrastructure to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.