Property worth millions destroyed in Embu market fire

Property worth millions of shillings was on Wednesday razed down after a fire gutted down the entire mitumba section of Kianjokoma market in Embu.

Traders at the market now say that they suspect the inferno, which is reported to have started at around 3am, was started intentionally.

Speaking after the incident, Market Chairman Daniel Nthiga stated that the traders have been severely affected since most of them had just restocked in anticipation of the festive season.

Nthiga further indicated that the market was one of the main sources of income for many residents.

The chairman is now calling upon well wishers to come to their aid and help the traders restart their businesses.

The incident comes just a few days after traders at a market in Makongeni area, Thika counted heavy losses following a fire that razed down the market.

The cause of the fire was not clear; however, business owners at the facility said that there had been some suspicious activity at the market in the recent past.

According to the vendors, groups of youths who were allegedly transported to the market doused the stalls with petrol before setting them on fire under the watch of police officers who were allegedly offering them security.

“Administration Police officers in their uniforms and protective gear supervised and provided security for the youth as they poured petrol on our stores and commodities before setting them on fire,” claimed a vendor at the market.

The incident agitated the traders who barricaded Thika-Garissa Highway in protest.