Kenyan Governor Johnson Sakaja Stoned During Visit to Toi Market After Devastating Fire
On August 3, 2024, Kenyan Governor Johnson Sakaja was met with hostility and pelted with stones during his visit to Toi Market in Kibera, following a fire that broke out early in the morning.
The blaze tragically claimed the lives of four individuals and inflicted significant damage on the traders at Toi Market.
Incident Overview
Kenyan Governor Johnson Sakaja and his security team encountered a furious crowd at Toi Market. An online video captured the tense situation, showing his bodyguards forming a protective barrier around him as stones were hurled through the air.
The escalation of the crowd’s anger prompted the security team to fire shots into the air to disperse the agitated crowd. This incident underscores the deep frustration felt by the local community.
Traders’ Anger and Frustration
The traders at Toi Market voiced their dissatisfaction with Kenyan Governor Sakaja, expressing their anger over the perceived failure to address past fire-related issues. Many accused the Governor of not fulfilling his promises to repair the market after a similar fire incident last year.
Criticism was also directed at the county’s fire response team for their slow reaction, which they believe exacerbated the damage and contributed to the fatalities.
Repeated Fire Incidents at Toi Market
Toi Market has a troubling history of frequent fire incidents. The latest fire, which reportedly began around 4 am, is suspected to have been caused by an electrical fault. One trader mentioned, “An electrical fault in one of the wooden houses caused the fire early this morning.”
Firefighters from the Nairobi County Government arrived several hours later, by which time the fire had already spread extensively. The lack of access roads has been cited as a significant factor in the delayed response of the fire services at Toi Market.
Historical Context of Fires at Toi Market
Toi Market has been plagued by numerous fire incidents over the years. In June 2023, a devastating fire destroyed millions of shillings worth of property. Similarly, in November 2021, a fire razed a section of the market, causing significant losses.
Previous incidents include two fires in 2019 and multiple fires in 2018, including a particularly severe one in June 2018 that resulted in 15 deaths and at least 60 injuries. These recurring incidents have raised serious concerns about fire safety and infrastructure at Toi Market.
Political Leaders’ Involvement
Kibera Member of Parliament Peter Orero and Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino also visited Toi Market earlier in the day to engage with affected traders.
They listened to the traders’ grievances and expressed their commitment to addressing the market’s challenges. The traders are calling for urgent action to repair the market and improve fire response measures to prevent future disasters.
The Aftermath of the Fire
The aftermath of the fire has left Toi Market’s traders in a state of despair. The vibrant market now stands in ruins, with charred remains and destroyed livelihoods. The traders are counting their losses and eagerly awaiting intervention to help rebuild their stalls and restore normalcy.
Calls for Action
The persistent fire incidents at Toi Market highlight the critical need for improved infrastructure and fire safety measures. Traders have urged the Nairobi County Government to take decisive action to prevent future fires.
They emphasized the need for better access roads to facilitate faster fire service responses.
Kenyan Governor Sakaja’s Response
In response to the community’s concerns and the recent incident where Kenyan Governor Johnson Sakaja was stoned, Kenyan Governor Sakaja has promised to prioritize the reconstruction of Toi Market and enhance fire safety measures.
He acknowledged the delays in fire response and assured the traders that steps would be taken to address these issues.
cGovernor Sakaja stated, “We understand the frustration of the traders at Toi Market, and we are committed to ensuring that such incidents do not happen again. We will work on improving the infrastructure and response mechanisms to protect the livelihoods of our traders at Toi Market.”
Conclusion
The fire at Toi Market on August 3, 2024, has once again spotlighted the vulnerabilities faced by the traders. The incident where Kenyan Governor Johnson Sakaja was stoned underscores the urgent need for effective measures to prevent future fires and protect traders’ livelihoods.
As the market begins its recovery process, the focus remains on fulfilling the promises made and implementing necessary measures to avert such tragedies in the future. The resilience of the traders at Toi Market will be crucial in rebuilding and restoring the market to its former vitality.
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