The Garissa County Assembly has unanimously passed a motion directing the County Government to establish a modern, fully equipped fire station within the market.
This is in response to the devastating fire that razed sections of Souk Mugdi Market in Garissa on Monday.
The motion, introduced by Garissa Township MCA and Minority Leader Hussein Mohamed, seeks to enhance disaster preparedness and protect the livelihoods of thousands who depend on the market.
The fire, which broke out around 7:00 a.m., destroyed dozens of stalls, including those dealing in produce, electronics, clothing, and groceries, leaving traders counting heavy losses.
Mr. Hussein, while moving the motion, described Suq Mugdi as the economic heartbeat of Garissa Township and underscored the urgent need to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The motion calls for the construction of a fire station staffed by professionally trained firefighters and equipped with rapid-response tools, along with sufficient budgetary allocations for its implementation.
It also recommends comprehensive fire risk assessments and hazard mapping to inform future safety protocols and zoning within the market.
Additionally, the County Government has been tasked to launch sustained public awareness campaigns on fire prevention, emergency response, and general safety practices.
Suq Mugdi, one of Garissa County’s largest commercial hubs, has been plagued by frequent fires, often linked to faulty wiring, poor planning, and slow emergency response.
The Assembly through the motion aspire to a turn point in addressing long-standing public safety concerns and safeguarding vital sources of income for thousands of residents.
Amina Yussuf, a vegetable vendor who has worked in the market for over a decade. To her, the prospect of a fire station within the market is a reflection, “long-overdue attention to the needs of traders who have borne the brunt of recurring disasters.”
For years, she has watched businesses go up in flames without help in sight.
The County Assembly’s action, in her view, “offers a rare sense of reassurance that local leadership is finally prioritizing the protection of both livelihoods and lives.”
