Former Machakos Town Member of Parliament Victor Munyaka has called for urgent government intervention and long-term safety reforms following a devastating fire that destroyed Machakos Mitumba Market.

The fire broke out around midnight on Saturday, July 4, 2026, and quickly spread through the tightly packed stalls, destroying second-hand clothes, shoes, household goods and other merchandise.

By Sunday morning, July 5, 2026, smoke was still rising from parts of the market as the Machakos County Fire and Emergency Services team continued efforts to fully extinguish the blaze and secure the area.

Firefighters remained at the scene for several hours, putting out hotspots to stop the fire from spreading to neighbouring businesses.

Many traders returned to the market at daybreak hoping to recover some of their belongings from the debris. For many of them, the market was their main source of income, supporting their families, paying school fees and enabling them to restock their businesses.

The destruction has left numerous families facing significant financial losses as years of investment were wiped out within hours.

Munyaka calls for immediate support

In a Facebook post dated July 5, 2026, Munyaka expressed sympathy with the affected traders and their families.

“I am deeply saddened by the devastating fire that has razed Machakos Mitumba Market, leaving many traders counting painful losses and uncertain about their future,” he wrote.

He extended his sympathies to traders, their families and workers, describing them as “the backbone of our local economy” who “work tirelessly every day to provide for their families.”

Munyaka also commended firefighters, emergency personnel, security officers and all first responders for responding to the incident.

However, he said more action was needed beyond expressions of sympathy.

“This tragedy demands more than words,” he said, calling on both the national and county governments to provide immediate relief and recovery support while working with stakeholders to help traders rebuild their businesses.

Focus on market safety

Munyaka also called for measures to address the recurring fires that have affected markets across the country.

“As leaders, we must invest in modern market infrastructure, reliable firefighting equipment, improved emergency response systems, and stronger safety standards,” Munyaka stated. “Our traders deserve markets that are safe, secure, and fit for business.”

He assured residents of Machakos of his support, saying, “Together, we shall overcome this challenge.”

The Machakos fire comes less than two weeks after a blaze at Nairobi’s Gikomba Market on June 21, 2026, which took nearly 10 hours to contain and left 17 people injured. The incident renewed calls for improved fire preparedness in informal markets, where traders often operate in densely packed spaces with limited safety infrastructure.

Authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the Machakos fire as traders begin assessing the extent of their losses.