Traders at Hagadera Market in Garissa are facing significant losses after a fire erupted today, October 27, quickly engulfing numerous businesses. Although the blaze has been controlled by the Kenya Red Cross, it highlights a critical lack of emergency response, with residents tirelessly battling the flames themselves.

• The fire, which started around 11:40 AM, destroyed several shops, pharmacies, and restaurants.
• The Kenya Red Cross helped bring the fire under control; however, local traders and residents were instrumental in the initial efforts to extinguish the flames due to the absence of emergency services.
• This incident marks the sixth fire in the Hagadera camp market in recent years, with a similar damaging fire occurring just 10 months ago in December, prompting calls for an effective emergency response system.