Public Service and Special Programmes CS Geoffrey Ruku addresses traders at the Garissa market.
The national and Garissa county governments are putting in place measures to assist victims of the fire tragedy that destroyed a big section of a market in Garissa on Monday morning.
The fire, which broke out at 6 am at the Suq Mukti market along Posta Road, razed dozens of stalls and destroyed goods worth millions of shillings.
Despite efforts by firefighters and residents to put it out,
the fire quickly spread, fuelled by strong winds.
By the time help arrived, much of the market had been
reduced to ashes.
Desperate traders attempted to salvage their goods,
but most were unsuccessful.
On Tuesday, Public Service and Special Programmes CS Geoffrey Ruku led local
leaders to assess the scale of the destruction at the market. He assured the affected traders the national and county authorities will engage them to explore immediate recovery
and restoration options.
The measures also include coming with lasting
solutions to the problem that has been recurring leading to huge losses.
Ruku instructed the county commissioner and the
National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) to work closely with the
county departments such as disaster management, trade and urban planning to furnish
his office with the names of affected traders with a
view of assisting them.
“I want the
report of all those affected in my
office latest tomorrow [Wednesday], so that the government, through the state
department of special programmes, immediately embarks on providing food assistance
because we know this market is a lifeline to many families,” he said.
“We will also work closely with the county
and the local leadership to ensure that all the stalls that were razed down are
re-constructed so the traders immediately get back to their normal
business.”
The CS further said the government plans to
construct a modern market were at an advanced stage.
“The government is determined to construct a new modern market and I want to disclose to you that the money for this particular project has already been set aside. This will be done by the Ministry of Housing,” he said.
Ruku was accompanied by, among other leaders, Garissa Deputy Governor Abdi Dagane, Garissa Township MP Dekow Mohamed and Garissa Woman Representative Udgoon Siyad.
MP Dekow said plans are underway to mobilise emergency support through the national government and development partners to assist in rebuilding efforts.
He said the planned market will boost Garissa’s economy.
The woman representative said her office will
avail Sh1 million to the response committee to support immediate needs on
the ground.
Traders interviewed urged authorities to ensure
firefighting vehicles are well-maintained, staffed and on standby to respond
swiftly to future emergencies.
In February, President William Ruto during his visit
in Garissa announced the government
will soon embark on the construction of a modern market.
He said his administration has set aside Sh500 million for the facility.
