Traders count losses after Kisumu bus park fire destroys stalls

Hundreds of traders in Kisumu are counting heavy losses after a devastating fire swept through Kisumu Bus Park in the early hours of Wednesday, razing over 50 stalls and leaving hundreds of traders counting heavy losses.

The blaze, which erupted around 2:00am, brought business at the busy transport hub to a halt and triggered a frantic attempt by traders to salvage their stock with little success.

The Kisumu City Fire Brigade responded swiftly and managed to contain the fire before it could spread to nearby structures.

However, by the time the flames were extinguished, the damage had already been done. Burnt debris, twisted metal, and ash now mark the spot where once-thriving businesses stood. Most of the affected traders said they had just restocked and are now staring at financial ruin.

“We came as soon as we got the call, but the fire was too much. We couldn’t save anything,” said Ben Basole, a trader at the bus park.

“Everything I had is gone. We’re appealing to leaders and well-wishers to support us. Rebuilding without help will be impossible.”

Basole said a good number of stalls may have been affected, though official figures currently stand at 54 destroyed structures. He also raised concerns about the increasing number of street children now grown men in the area, suggesting that one of them may have ignited the blaze out of anger, citing previous tensions. “We are sitting on a time bomb if this issue is not addressed,” he warned.

Other traders shared similar pain and desperation. Maureen Anyango, a boutique owner, said, “I had restocked just two weeks ago. Now everything is gone. Boutique items are expensive; I can’t even begin to estimate the losses. We’re pleading for support from the county and national governments.”

The Chairman of Kisumu Bus Park, Shem Ochuodho, confirmed that 54 business stalls were completely destroyed, directly affecting 112 traders.

He expressed sympathy to those affected and said a secretariat had been formed to coordinate aid and rebuilding efforts. He also echoed concerns about the presence of street boys at the park.

"There is growing insecurity at the Bus Park due to these street boys, many of whom are now adults, loitering with no direction,” Ochuodho said. “We have raised this with county and national governments before, and we are doing it again. This fire may have stemmed from an altercation involving one of them.”

Ochuodho also thanked the Kisumu Fire Brigade and security personnel who responded promptly and helped prevent the fire from spreading further. However, he insisted that more long-term solutions were needed, especially around waste management, safety, and street boy rehabilitation.

Peter Otieno, another leader at the park, described the situation as heartbreaking, noting that one trader may have lost up to KSh 1.5 million worth of stock. “These are real hustlers. People who depend on this place to feed their families. It’s not just loss of goods, it’s loss of hope.”

He too pointed fingers at the county’s failure to address growing insecurity. “The same street children we embraced as part of our society are now a danger to us. Something must be done. We can’t trust them anymore.”

The affected stalls dealt in a variety of goods, including clothing, utensils, electronics, and household items. Traders from nearby stalls managed to rescue a few items, but most were overwhelmed by the speed and intensity of the flames.

Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga confirmed that investigations are underway, with Kenya Power and the police working jointly to determine the cause of the inferno.

"A fire incident erupted at Kisumu Bus Park last night, prompting an immediate response from the fire brigade. Their efforts prevented further spread. I visited the scene to assess the situation. My deepest sympathies to those who have suffered losses,” Wanga said.