Thikas Makongeni market razed down

Traders at Makongeni market in Thika, Kiambu County are counting losses after a Sunday morning fire razed down the market.

The cause of the fire is not clear, however, business owners at the facility said that there had been some suspicious activity at the market over the weekend.

According to the vendors, groups of youths were allegedly transported to the market in five lorries late Friday night.

The traders further claimed that the youths, in their hundreds, 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 early morning incident has agitated the traders who barricaded Thika-Garissa Highway in protest.

The vendors believed the market was set on fire by the County Government of Kiambu, stating that the county administration had on Friday brought down stalls that had been constructed by the roadside along the Thika Super Highway.

“Where do they want us to go? How will we fend for our families?” Posed one vendor.

The county government has however refuted the claims.