Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has revealed that firefighting efforts during the devastating Gikomba Market fire were severely disrupted after emergency responders came under attack from stone-throwing youth, forcing an NYS fire engine to retreat at a critical moment in the operation.

In a detailed statement issued on Sunday, June 21, 2026, following the containment of the inferno, Sakaja condemned what he termed as “lawless, unprovoked attacks” on first responders, saying the interference significantly hampered early efforts to control the rapidly spreading fire.

“However, I must also express condemnation of the lawless, unprovoked attacks directed at first responders. A National Youth Service (NYS) fire engine was stoned and forcibly turned away by rowdy youth, severely disrupting early containment efforts,” Sakaja said in the statement.

According to the governor, the incident occurred as firefighters were attempting to contain the blaze in its early stages, a period he implied was crucial in preventing the fire from spreading further through the densely packed market.

Emergency response reinforced

Despite the setback, Sakaja said emergency teams remained on the ground and continued operations under difficult and hostile conditions.

The governor noted that county emergency teams were later reinforced with additional water supply support from the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC), whose bowsers were deployed to help contain the inferno after the initial disruption.

“Despite the hostility, our teams stood their ground. We deployed water bowsers from the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) to augment the water supply and completely contain the blaze,” Sakaja stated.

Traders’ losses and recovery efforts

Sakaja also addressed traders affected by the fire, assuring them that the county government was already working on recovery measures, including enumeration of losses and engagement with market leadership structures.

He said he was in contact with 32 section chairpersons, the area County Commissioner, the Member of Parliament (MP), and the MCA to coordinate immediate intervention and support plans.

“To the Gikomba business community; your pain is our pain. I am in contact with all the 32 Chairmen of the different sections as well as the area County Commissioner, Member of Parliament and MCA. We are conducting enumeration and are working on urgent remedial interventions of which you will be informed,” he stated.

The governor further assured Gikomba traders that they would be allowed to rebuild within their existing spaces even as broader modernisation plans for the market continue.