This archive report was first published on 25 June 2020.
On Thursday, Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Karanja Kibicho toured the Gikomba market area after another inferno razed down goods worth a significant amount, leaving traders in a state of despair.
Dr. Kibicho stated that the government has begun investigations to identify individuals believed to be behind the recurrent burning down of property at the market.
Speaking to the press, Dr. Kibicho said that the government does not believe the fires are natural, adding that a desk has been set up at the fifth floor of Nyayo House to probe all information and leads that could unmask the cartels responsible for the destruction.
“We in government do not believe these fires are natural. We believe that there are some people who think that by displacing the business people here they will have an opportunity to develop this land on selfish grounds,” Dr. Kibicho said.
He further stated that the government has opened a desk at Nyayo House to gather intelligence and information from business people in the area, promising that the information will not be in vain.
Dr. Kibicho also revealed that the government is planning on relocating traders to other markets set to be built within Nairobi, adding that the government will compensate households affected by the Gikomba Market fire.
“Unfortunately there are people who believe that when the business people using this space are evacuated that they will have an opportunity to use this land for private use. Gikomba is public land and it shall be used for public purposes even after we relocate the traders who are to here to the markets we are building,” Dr. Kibicho said.
He further promised that the government would beef up security in the area to prevent future incidents.
