This archive report was first published on 1 August 2019.
On August 1, 2019, ODM leader Raila Odinga visited the scene of the fire at Toy Market in Nairobi and accused land grabbers of being behind the incident.
Speaking at the scene, Raila said that the land grabbers were behind the incessant fires in market places, including the recent one at Gikomba market.
"There are those land grabbers who grab every piece of land they see. I am certain that they are the ones behind this fire so that they can come tomorrow accompanied by police officers and start building their own structures," he said.
Raila also hit out at suspects linked to the corruption scandal at the National Youth Service (NYS) saying if it were not for the stealing of public funds, the slum upgrade project would not have stalled.
He instructed Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko to help traders reconstruct Toi market after an inferno that led to loss of property worth millions of shillings.
"Governor Sonko is about to arrive at the scene, once he is here, I have instructed him to provide materials, iron sheets and ensure reconstruction begins.. police officers should also provide security as the traders put up their stalls," he said.
The ODM leader also called for speedy investigations into the fire incident at Toi market and the prosecution of those responsible.
