Kakamega Traders Face Losses After Devastating Fire
Summary:
Traders in Kakamega county suffer losses as a fire destroys motorcycle spare parts stalls along Maziwa Road. Despite a swift response from the county fire department, traders express the need for assistance to rebuild, emphasizing the challenges of expensive tile replacement and personal financial setbacks.
In Kakamega county, traders along Maziwa Road are grappling with substantial losses following a fire that engulfed their motorcycle spare parts stalls in the early hours of Friday morning. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, although the cause of the fire remains undetermined.
Despite the prompt response from the county fire department, traders lament that a significant portion of their property had already been consumed by the flames upon their arrival. Expressing gratitude for the swift response, Harrison Songa, one of the affected traders, emphasized the urgent need for assistance in the rebuilding process.
“We appreciate the efforts of the fire department to respond quickly; otherwise, more damage might have happened. We now require help to rebuild,” stated Songa on Friday. He further highlighted the specific challenges posed by the destruction, noting that the burnt tiles in the stalls were a significant concern, especially considering the current high cost of replacement.
Jackline Kirarie, another affected trader, shared the financial toll of the incident, revealing, “I took a loan of Ksh. 85,000 from my chama to buy stock, which has all been destroyed. I don’t know how I’ll repay the loan.” The traders collectively seek support to overcome the aftermath of the fire, acknowledging the impact on their livelihoods and the challenges posed by both physical and financial setbacks.
