Fires ravage markets in Hola and Garissa, exposing gaps in response
A tractor pulls down the remaining structures at Soko Mugdi in Garissa town on June 30, 2025. Traders are counting their losses after their stalls were burnt down in a fire.
What you need to know:
- A Monday morning fire in Hola Town, Tana River County, destroyed property worth over Sh10 million.
- Residents expressed outrage at the county's ineffective fire department, which arrived with insufficient water and ran out of fuel. The firefighters also appeared to be untrained.
- Simultaneously, a Sunday morning fire at Garissa's Soko Mugdi market obliterated hundreds of stalls, compounded by claims of theft of salvaged goods and marking the sixth blaze at the vital commercial hub since 2010.
A fire that broke out on Monday morning in Hola Town, Tana River County, destroyed property estimated at over Sh10 million and triggered public anger over the county government’s poor emergency response.
The fire started at a commercial building housing a bar and restaurant and spread rapidly sending thick black smoke into the sky. Residents called for help from the county fire department, but response was slow.
Fire department fails
Despite the county fire station being located only 50 metres from the scene, the fire engine arrived with little water and quickly ran out of fuel. Its generator also stalled mid-operation due to lack of fuel further hampering firefighting efforts.
“We watched helplessly as our investments went up in flames. The fire engine stood idle. This is not a fire department, it’s a disaster unit,” said Ms Fatuma Ali, a trader whose business was destroyed.
A tractor pulls down the remaining structures at Soko Mugdi in Garissa town on June 30, 2025. Traders are counting their losses after their stalls were burnt down in a fire.
With the official response failing, local youths and residents took charge of fetching water from a nearby construction site and using buckets to fight the flames.
Mr Frank Eliakim, a resident, criticised the fire department for arriving late and unprepared.
“The fire station is within shouting distance yet they came after the building was nearly gone. What saved the day were volunteers risking their lives,” he said.
Residents also accused the fire department of lacking training and professionalism. Mr Bonaya Wandhe described the crew as panicked and untrained.
“It’s like they were seeing fire for the first time. They had no plan,” he said.
Although no injuries or deaths were reported, the fire left many families devastated. Traders have now called on the county government to overhaul the fire department and improve emergency preparedness.
Past fire incidents in Hola have also been met with similar complaints about the fire brigade’s delayed and ineffective response.
Unseen improvements
The county assembly had earlier passed a budget to support fire engine repairs and staff training, but residents say no improvements have been seen.
County officials have yet to comment officially, although sources admit that the fire engine has had mechanical issues for months with little done to address them.
In Garissa, a fire broke out early Sunday morning at the Soko Mugdi market destroying hundreds of stalls and leaving traders counting massive losses.
According to witnesses, the fire started at around 6.30 am and quickly spread through the tightly packed wooden and mabati structures fueled by dry goods and poor access routes. Traders scrambled to salvage their goods, but most were unsuccessful.
“I have lost all my stock worth Sh50,000. I had stocked mangoes, avocados and other fruits,” said Ms Faith Mwende, one of the affected traders.
Some traders said their salvaged goods were stolen during the chaos.
“Whatever I had saved from the flames has been stolen. This is a double tragedy to me,” Ms Mwende added.
Photo of the burnt Sug Mugdi (Dark Market) in Garissa town on June 30, 2025. Hundreds of traders are counting the cost after the facility was destroyed in a mysterious fire.
Congestion and chaos hinder efforts
Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo said efforts to contain the fire were hampered by the market’s congested layout and poor emergency access. Firefighters and Kenya Red Cross personnel responded but the damage was already extensive by the time they arrived.
Kenya Red Cross Garissa County Coordinator Daudi Ahmed confirmed that at least five people were treated for minor injuries.
“No deaths or serious injuries have been reported. Our teams responded and administered first aid at the scene,” Mr Ahmed said.
Traders have decried repeated fire incidents at the market, with Sunday’s blaze being the sixth since 2010.
“This is the sixth time this market is burning. We have always suspected foul play including politics,” said Mr Abdille Nur, a long-time trader.
Soko Mugdi is a key commercial hub in Garissa serving more than 5,000 residents and attracting traders from Mandera, Wajir and central Kenya.
During a visit to Garissa in February, President William Ruto pledged Sh500 million for the construction of a new market. However, traders say no progress has been made since the announcement.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined though speculation points to an electrical fault in one of the stalls. Authorities have launched investigations.
Tractors were used to demolish nearby stalls in an effort to stop the fire from spreading further.