Traders in Githurai 44 are counting losses after property worth more than 100 million was destroyed in an early morning fire. According to area residents, the fire began at around 4 am at a furniture shop and spread fast into the adjacent shops where it consumed more furniture and items stocked in the stalls.
This is the third time, that flames of incidentally an early morning inferno have reduced property worth millions of money to ashes at the Githurai 44 market. Traders have nothing to cling on but watch in dismay as what they toiled for is reduced to nothing. The market employs more than 1000 traders directly.
The incident consequently interfered with traffic along Thika road. According to the area member of County Assembly and traders at the famous furniture market off Thika road, the cause of the fire which broke out in the wee hours of Monday is unknown.
Market fires are not a new occurrence in Kenya. This year alone Toi market and a section of Gikomba market were razed down. And as it has been the norm, an accusing finger was pointed at the so called unknown persons with ill motives.