NAIROBI, Kenya— A massive fire tore through Garissa’s bustling Suq Mukti market early Monday morning, reducing dozens of stalls to smoldering ruins and leaving traders in shock as they watched their livelihoods go up in flames.
The blaze, which erupted at around 6:00 am along Posta Road, engulfed large sections of the market before firefighters could contain it.
In a video seen by Y News, thick plumes of smoke and bright orange flames rip through stalls as desperate vendors and residents try to douse the fire using buckets, jerrycans, and bare hands.
By the time fire trucks arrived, entire rows—packed with fresh produce, groceries, clothing, electronics, and household goods—had already been turned to ash.
No injuries or fatalities were reported by press time. Locals and emergency responders managed to contain the blaze after hours of battling the inferno. However, the scale of the destruction has left many grappling with emotional and financial loss.
Suq Mukti is a major commercial hub in the region, serving thousands of traders from Garissa and neighboring counties.
Monday’s incident, therefore, carries heavy implications not just for the town’s economy, but for food and goods supply chains in the region.
Authorities have launched investigations to determine the cause of the fire. Traders are now demanding answers—and help.
The fire is part of a troubling pattern seen across Kenya, where market infernos—often preventable—continue to destroy property and disrupt livelihoods, sparking renewed calls for better urban planning and safety enforcement.
