Traders at the Kisumu Bus Park are calling for urgent intervention from county and national leaders after a devastating night inferno reduced more than 200 shops to ashes, leaving scores of small business owners in financial ruin.
The affected traders are appealing to Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda, Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, and Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo to assist them in rebuilding the business structures, mainly container stalls, saying they are ready to resume operations if given a place to work from.
“I got a call from my neighbor that the bus park is burning. We tried to stop the fire but it was impossible, everything was reduced to ashes,” said Eunice Adhiambo, one of the affected traders. “I was to pay rent next week. Now, I am confused. We are only asking our leaders to help rebuild the containers; we’ll find something to sell.”
Ben Basole, a mitumba (second-hand clothes) trader, described the fire as too fierce to control, noting that many traders lost all their merchandise. He raised concern over the growing population of street children in the area, alleging that the fire might have been started in retaliation by one of them following a dispute with a trader.
“Indeed, we are sitting on a time bomb. The number of street boys in the bus park has surged. One may have been angered and decided to burn the shop as revenge, not knowing it would affect everyone,” said Basole, urging the county to take immediate action.
Maureen Anyango, a boutique owner, also lamented her losses. “I had assured my landlord that I’d settle last month’s rent next week. Now I don’t know what to do. We’re only asking the leadership to help us put up the structures. We’re ready to start afresh.”
The traders say they are overwhelmed by debt, with some servicing loans they can no longer repay, and now seek the support of well-wishers, county leaders, and government agencies to restore their businesses and livelihoods.
