This archive report was first published on 18 April 2020.
On Friday night, a devastating fire swept through Kipasi trading centre in Mbita subcounty, Homa Bay county, leaving a trail of destruction and despair in its wake. The fire, which is suspected to have been caused by an electric fault, destroyed property worth millions of shillings, leaving over 50 traders counting their losses.
Among those who suffered a huge loss was Elias Abong'o, a trader who lost goods worth Sh1 million. 'I also had a store which carried tents, sewing machines and others. This is a serious setback,' he said.
Another trader, Triza Atieno, was also left reeling after the fire destroyed her stock. Atieno had bought a number of goods in bulk to sell at Kipasi market on Sunday, but the fire left her with nothing. 'My livelihood is entirely dependent on this business. It was the only source of income from which I was paying my children's school fees. I don't know where to start from,' she said.
County Police Commander Esther Seroney confirmed that nobody was injured in the accident, but the traders are now facing an uncertain future. Nominated MCA Sophie Salim has called on the Homa Bay county and national governments to provide humanitarian aid to the affected traders.
As the traders struggle to come to terms with their loss, they are also facing the added challenge of restrictions introduced by the government to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 'Most of these traders are traumatised because their livelihood entirely depended on the goods which have been destroyed,' Salim said.
