Traders in Hagadera Market Seek Urgent Government Support After Fire
Traders at Hagadera Market in Fafi subcounty are urgently calling for government assistance after a devastating fire destroyed their stalls last week, resulting in losses worth millions of shillings. The traders have accused both the national and county governments, as well as the UNHCR, of abandoning them during this critical time.
The market, located at the heart of Hagadera Refugee Camp, was reduced to ashes despite the efforts of the Kenya Red Cross Society and local fire teams to contain the blaze. Speaking at the site of the burnt market, traders expressed frustration over what they described as a lack of response from authorities.
“It is exactly one week since fire consumed our market and destroyed everything we owned. We thought either the national or county government would come through for us, but unfortunately, no help has been forthcoming,” said trader Mohamed Hussein.
A spot check revealed that traders have started rebuilding their stalls, with some using salvaged iron sheets while others purchased new ones. Halima Hussein, who lost her clothes stall in the fire, said she had decided to rebuild using her limited savings.
“It’s clear we are on our own, as has always been the case. One week later, there’s still no word from the people we expected to help us. I decided to reconstruct my stall and restock using the little money I have,” she said.
Ambia Hussein urged authorities to equip the market with fire extinguishers and install water points to prevent similar disasters. “God forbid if a fire broke out again today—everything would still go up in flames because we have no safety equipment or water points nearby,” she said.
Causes and Consequences of the Fire
The cause of the fire remains undetermined, though witnesses believe it may have started from an electrical fault in one of the stalls before spreading rapidly due to strong winds and the close spacing of the wooden structures.
Hagadera market serves hundreds of residents from surrounding villages and refugee camps, making it a vital economic hub for the region. While campaigning in the area on Wednesday, Fafi ward UDA candidate Diriye Ibrahim called for the establishment of a fire station in Hagadera town to ensure faster response to emergencies.
“It is sad that there is no fire station in Hagadera. Four fire engines brought by UNHCR are parked at the Kenya Red Cross camp in Dadaab, nearly 10 kilometers away. They should be stationed here, and the county must bring another,” he said.
Ibrahim also urged the county government to suspend all revenue charges for traders for at least a year to allow them time to recover and rebuild their livelihoods. Diriye commended the traders for their resilience and determination to get back on their feet despite the heavy losses.
Analysis of the Incident
The Hagadera market fire exposes deep gaps in emergency preparedness and government responsiveness in marginalized regions. Despite the market’s economic importance, the lack of a nearby fire station or basic firefighting equipment left traders helpless as their livelihoods went up in flames. The incident underscores how refugee-hosting communities often fall through the cracks of national and county support systems.
Traders’ efforts to rebuild on their own reflect resilience amid neglect, but also highlight systemic failure in disaster management and risk mitigation. Without proper infrastructure, coordination, and safety enforcement, such preventable tragedies are bound to recur.