By Wajir Today Correspondent | Thursday, 6 November 2025
Traders at Hagadera Market in Fafi Sub-county are reeling from last week’s inferno that reduced their livelihoods to ashes. They now accuse the national and county governments, along with the UNHCR, of turning a blind eye to their suffering.
The fire tore through the market at the heart of Hagadera refugee camp, wiping out businesses worth millions. Efforts by the Kenya Red Cross and local fire departments to contain the blaze were futile, leaving nothing but twisted metal and smouldering debris.
At the charred remains of their stalls, traders voiced their frustration at what they called “total neglect” by those in power.
“It is exactly one week since fire consumed our market and destroyed everything that we owned. We thought either the national or the county will come through for us at our hour of need, but unfortunately no help has been forthcoming to date,” said Mohamed Hussein, one of the affected traders.
A walk through the market tells a story of resilience amid despair. Some traders were seen hammering together makeshift stalls from old iron sheets, while others dug deep into their pockets to buy new materials just to get back on their feet.
Halima Hussein, who lost her clothing stall in the blaze, said she couldn’t wait any longer for help that may never come.
“It was obvious that we are on our own like has always been the case for many years. One week down the line and no word from the people we expected to help us. So what are we supposed to do? It is the reason why I took this move to reconstruct my stall and restock using the little money that I had,” she said.
Another trader, Ambia Hussein, urged authorities to take urgent action to prevent future disasters.
“God forbid, if the fire broke out again today, the same scenario will again unfold where everything here will be reduced to ashes. Reason being we still don’t have fire extinguishers or water points on standby,” she warned.
Witnesses say the blaze may have been triggered by an electrical fault in one of the stalls before rapidly spreading, fanned by strong winds and the close-packed wooden structures.
The market serves hundreds of residents from nearby villages and refugee camps, making it a crucial economic lifeline in Fafi Sub-county.
During a campaign stop in the area on Wednesday, Fafi Ward UDA candidate Diriye Maalim Ibrahim called for the urgent establishment of a fire station in Hagadera town to ensure swift response in future emergencies.
“It is sad that there is no fire station in Hagardera. Four fire engines brought by UNHCR are parked at the Kenya Red Cross camp in Dadaab, close to 10 kilometres away. They should be stationed here, and the county must bring another,” said Ibrahim.
He also urged the county government to suspend all market fees for a year to allow traders to recover.
Diriye praised the traders’ courage and determination to rebuild, saying their resilience in the face of loss was a testament to their strength.
