Kisumu Central MP aspirant Edward Onyango, popularly known as Bob CEO, has called for urgent support for traders affected by an early-morning fire at Kibuye Market.
The fire broke out in the timber section of the busy market, destroying property and stock belonging to several traders before firefighters brought the blaze under control.
Onyango said the losses would have a significant impact on families who depend on the businesses for their livelihoods.
“My thoughts and prayers are with every trader who has lost their business, property and source of livelihood,” he said.
He called on the Kisumu County Government to urgently assess the damage and determine the extent of the losses suffered by traders.
Onyango also urged the authorities to work with police and other agencies to establish the cause of the fire, which was not immediately known.
“The county government should move with speed to assess the extent of the damage and provide the necessary assistance to help the traders rebuild their businesses,” he said.
He said many traders had invested years of work and savings in their businesses and could struggle to recover without assistance.
“Kibuye is more than a market to me. It is home to hardworking brothers and sisters whose businesses put food on their tables, pay school fees and keep families alive,” he said.
Onyango also appealed to political leaders to work together to support the affected traders, saying the incident should not become a political dispute.
“At this difficult hour, politics must take a back seat. I call upon leaders from all political divides to put our people first and come together to support the affected traders,” he said.
The incident has renewed concerns about the vulnerability of businesses operating in busy markets, where traders often keep large quantities of stock.
Investigations are expected to establish what caused the fire and whether measures can be taken to prevent similar incidents in future.
For the affected traders, the immediate priority is to recover from the loss of stock and rebuild businesses that provide income for their families.
Onyango said he would continue to support the traders as they seek to rebuild their livelihoods.
Leave a comment