Eldoret traders count losses as fire guts market

The cause of the fire, which happened on Wednesday night, is yet to be established.

Traders at the market sell a variety of goods ranging from second hand clothes to fruits and vegetables.

One of the traders at the market by the name Joseph Gitau said he had just renewed his stock and had lost everything in the fire.

"I am now stranded. How will I restock my business?"

Another trader, Abraham Koka, said, "I don't know where I will restart because I have lost all of my stock."

John Njehia, who is also a trader at the market, said that all his stock went up in flames and he did not understand what might have caused the fire.

"This is the first time we are experiencing a fire at the market," he said.

Tonny Wambua, the traders' representative, said following the moving of the market assigned to traders, they were seeking audience with the county government to find a suitable place to do their business, while at the same time not interfering with others' activities. 

He said the water shortage did not help the situation as residents were unable to help put out the fire.