This archive report was first published on 27 June 2020.
On June 25, a massive fire ravaged the Gikomba market in Nairobi, leaving vendors who owned stalls selling food and second-hand clothing in a state of despair.
As the vendors struggled to come to terms with their losses, a video of one of them being beaten by a group of people went viral on social media, sparking outrage and calls for the government to take action.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire was caused by a short circuit, but the exact cause is still unknown.
Wanaharakati na wanamtanda wameitaka serikali kumaliza mikasa ya moto kwenye soko hilo ili kuzuia wafanyabiashara kuumia kila mwaka.
"Kwa nini mtu achome soko ambalo humpa mlala hoi nafasi ya kujipa riziki kweli! Hii si mikasa ya kawaida," alisema Kwale Gunner kwenye twitter.
Wanamtanda wamekuwa wakivunja moyo kwa picha za wafanyabiashara wanaomiliki vibanda vilivyochomeka walioishiwa na nguvu baada ya kuona mali yao iligeuzwa jivu.
Wanaharakati wameitaka serikali kuchunguza kuhusu mikasa ya moto kwenye soko hilo ili kuzuia wafanyabiashara kuumia kila mwaka.
