Fires have once again broken out on Luthuli Avenue, raising fresh concerns about safety in Nairobi’s central business district (CBD). On Saturday evening, January 10, 2026, a building along Munyu Road caught fire, sending thick smoke into the air and drawing emergency teams to the scene.

Munyu Road branches off Luthuli Avenue, an area known for its dense concentration of electronics and mobile phone shops. Kenya Red Cross confirmed the incident via their X account.

“Fire incident in Luthuli, Nairobi County. Emergency teams are at the scene as containment efforts continue,” the post read.

The latest blaze came just days after a major fire at Ramogi House, a multi-storey building on Luthuli Avenue. That fire started on Tuesday, January 6, during the afternoon or evening. Firefighters put it out later that night, but the situation worsened when the building caught fire again the following day, Wednesday, January 7.

Traders face massive losses

Traders suffered heavy losses as stock went up in flames. Police officers moved in to prevent looting as crowds gathered at the scene.

Investigators later said an electrical fault during routine repair work likely caused the first fire at Ramogi House. Nairobi County Assistant Director of Fire Services Wilson Wanjiru also stated that the biggest challenge during the operation was the building’s design, particularly the presence of only one exit.

“The biggest challenge was the building having one exit. If you have one exit there is humidity and a lot of heat and that is a very big challenge in firefighting,” Wanjiru said.

Luthuli Avenue plays a vital role in Nairobi’s economy. It serves as a major hub for electronics, mobile phones, and accessories. When fires break out, traders often lose their livelihoods overnight. Many shops remain closed for days or even weeks as owners assess damage and try to recover.