CCTVs, perimeter wall, borehole: Governments lasting solution to Gikomba fires

The government is set to install CCTV security cameras in the Gikomba Market as a part of the solution to the perennial fires in the area.

Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Karanja Kibicho on Thursday said the government has asked the National Police Service, the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) and Safaricom to work together to have the surveillance cameras installed.

According to the PS, a perimeter wall and a borehole will also be installed in the area within the next three months.

In the meantime, the government will provide compensation to nearly 400 households who were left displaced after their properties were destroyed in the latest fire on Thursday.

“The 399 households affected by the Gikomba Market fire will receive Government support. We have also asked the National Police Service, the NMS  and Safaricom to work together to install CCTV security cameras. In approximately 3 months, Gikomba shall also have a perimeter wall and a borehole,” said Kibicho.

Meanwhile, the PS has reiterated plans by the government to relocate the Gikomba traders to other markets being developed in other parts of the city.

“Unfortunately there are people who believe that when the business people using this space are evacuated that they will have an opportunity to use this land for private use. Gikomba is public land and it shall be used for public purposes even after we relocate the traders who are to here to the markets we are building,” said the PS.

Dr. Kibicho announced that the government has began investigations to identify individuals believed to be behind the recurrent burning down of property at the Gikomba market, saying there are private individuals seeking to grab the Gikomba land for private use.