By Faith Nyabuto
A devastating fire engulfed Kisii Town’s iconic Marikiti Market in the early hours of Sunday morning, leaving behind a trail of destruction and despair.
The blaze, which broke out shortly after 2:00 a.m., razed several stalls to the ground, turning the once-bustling commercial hub near the Capital Roundabout into a smoldering wasteland.
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Before the inferno, Marikiti was a vital economic lifeline for hundreds of traders and thousands of residents who relied on it for daily essentials including fresh produce and electronics to household goods.
Among the victims was a widow who tearfully recounted her loss to the media.
“That stall was my only source of income. I used it to feed my children and pay their school fees. I don’t know what to do now,” she lamented.
Witnesses say the fire raged for hours with no immediate response from emergency services, despite the county fire station being located just a few meters away.
Traders and residents were left to battle the flames with buckets of water, but their efforts were in vain.
“It’s heartbreaking. You wake up early to hustle, only to find your entire livelihood reduced to ashes,” said one trader.
Longstanding tussle
The incident has reignited public outrage over the county government’s slow disaster response and raised fresh concerns about the market’s future.
Notably, the land on which Marikiti Market sits has been the subject of a longstanding legal dispute.
A recent court ruling reportedly declared the land private property, fueling speculation that the fire may have been intentional—though these claims remain unverified2.
Kisii Governor Simba Arati condemned the incident, describing it as “inhumane” and vowing to support affected traders.
He called on security agencies to investigate the fire thoroughly, including reviewing CCTV footage and witness accounts.
“It is totally unacceptable for anyone to torch people’s property for any reason. My administration will stand with the victims and help them rebuild,” the Governor stated.
