Traders Injured, Market Shattered
On Thursday evening, October 2, panic gripped Kisumu County when part of the roof at the popular Kibuye Market caved in, leaving several traders injured and properties destroyed. The frightening incident occurred at around 6 p.m., shortly after a heavy downpour pounded the lakeside city.
According to witnesses, the rainfall, which began earlier in the evening, intensified as the hours went by. Eventually, the weight of the accumulated water proved too much for the roofing structure, causing a loud, terrifying crash that sent traders and shoppers scrambling for safety. In the chaos, some were injured while others were left counting their losses as goods were soaked or destroyed by the collapse.
Emergency response teams quickly rushed to the scene. The injured were evacuated and taken to Lumumba Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment. Photographs shared online painted a grim picture, showing stranded traders trying to salvage what they could from beneath twisted metal sheets and debris.
Kibuye Market, which was reopened in 2022 after a Ksh 315 million facelift, is one of the largest open-air markets in East Africa. It attracts thousands of buyers and sellers every week, offering everything from fresh vegetables and spices to clothes, electronics, and handmade crafts. The collapse has now raised questions about the safety of the multi-million-shilling facility, which was expected to boost trade and improve livelihoods in the region.
For many traders, Thursday’s incident was not only frightening but also economically devastating. Some had stocked up heavily in preparation for the busy weekend market days, only to watch their investments ruined in a matter of minutes. “We are lucky to be alive, but our livelihoods are gone,” one trader said while struggling to pull sacks of produce from the wreckage.
The tragedy comes just a few months after another disaster hit traders at Marikiti Market in Kisii County, where a massive fire in June reduced stalls and shops to ashes. That incident left hundreds of traders reeling from losses and highlighted the vulnerability of local markets across Kenya to accidents and disasters.
As investigations into the Kisumu collapse continue, calls are mounting for county authorities to ensure stricter safety inspections of public infrastructure. For the traders of Kibuye Market, however, the priority remains recovering from their injuries and salvaging whatever is left of their businesses.
Traders Injured, Market Shattered
