Fire destroys millions in goods at vital commercial hub serving one of East Africa’s largest refugee settlements
GARISSA COUNTY, KENYA – A devastating fire swept through the Hagadera refugee camp market in northeastern Kenya on Monday morning, destroying dozens of stalls and goods worth millions of shillings, leaving traders who depend on the bustling commercial center facing financial ruin.
The blaze erupted around 11:40 a.m. local time and spread with alarming speed through the densely packed market area before emergency responders from the Kenya Red Cross and local fire departments managed to bring it under control several hours later.
“Everything Was on Fire”
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and desperation as traders frantically attempted to rescue their merchandise from the advancing flames that consumed wooden stalls, clothing, electronics, food supplies, and household goods.
“It all happened so fast — one minute we were selling, the next everything was on fire,” said Halima Osman, a clothes vendor who managed to salvage only a handful of items from her stall. “I have rescued a few of my properties, but many lost their entire stock. This was our only source of income.”
The market, which serves as the economic lifeline for residents of the Hagadera refugee camp—one of three camps that comprise the sprawling Dadaab refugee complex—is home to hundreds of small businesses that provide essential goods and services to a population of tens of thousands.
A Community’s Lifeline Reduced to Ashes
Abdirizak Noor, who lost his electronics shop in the inferno, expressed the despair felt by many traders. “This market is the heartbeat of Hagadera,” he said. “We depend on it to feed our families — now we’re left with nothing but ashes.”
Noor added that Monday’s fire was not an isolated incident, noting that the market has experienced previous blazes due to the prevalence of wooden structures, inadequate fire safety measures, and the congested layout that makes firefighting efforts extremely challenging.
Several people sustained injuries during the chaos and were transported to IRC Hagadera Hospital for treatment. The extent of their injuries has not been disclosed, though sources indicate most suffered burns and smoke inhalation.
Investigation Underway
The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation by Kenyan authorities, though preliminary reports suggest the blaze may have originated in one of the wooden market stalls before rapidly spreading to neighboring structures fueled by dry conditions and combustible materials.
Hassan Abdi, a Garissa County disaster management officer, told reporters that investigators are examining whether electrical faults, cooking fires, or other ignition sources may have sparked the conflagration.
“We must learn from this tragedy,” Abdi stated. “Better planning and safety awareness can prevent such losses in the future. We are calling for urgent measures to improve market layouts and ensure easier access for fire engines during emergencies.”
Humanitarian Response and Long-Term Concerns
Officials from Kenya’s Department of Refugee Services, the Kenya Red Cross, and the Kenya Police Service have mobilized to assist affected traders, providing emergency support and documenting losses.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has pledged to work with Garissa County authorities to conduct a comprehensive review of market safety standards and enhance fire preparedness measures throughout the refugee camps.
“The destruction of this market represents not just an economic loss but a threat to the livelihoods of families who have already endured so much,” said a UNHCR spokesperson. “We are committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure this community can rebuild and that proper safety measures are put in place.”
The Dadaab Context
The Dadaab refugee complex, located approximately 90 kilometers from the Kenya-Somalia border, has hosted Somali refugees fleeing conflict and drought since 1991. At its peak in 2011, Dadaab was home to nearly 500,000 refugees, making it one of the largest refugee settlements in the world.
While numbers have decreased in recent years due to voluntary repatriation programs and resettlement initiatives, the complex still houses over 200,000 refugees, primarily from Somalia, with smaller populations from South Sudan, Ethiopia, and other countries.
Markets like Hagadera serve as critical economic hubs where refugees can purchase necessities, earn livelihoods, and maintain a semblance of normalcy despite the challenges of displacement. The informal nature of these markets, however, often means they lack proper infrastructure, fire suppression systems, and emergency access routes.
Calls for Systemic Change
Monday’s fire has reignited calls from humanitarian organizations and refugee advocates for improved infrastructure and safety measures in camp markets across Kenya and the broader East African region.
“These fires are preventable tragedies,” said Grace Mutua, a disaster preparedness specialist with a Nairobi-based NGO. “With proper planning, fire breaks between stalls, accessible water sources, and basic fire suppression equipment, we could dramatically reduce both the frequency and severity of these incidents.”
Garissa County officials have announced plans to work with camp administrators to redesign market layouts, widen access roads for emergency vehicles, and establish fire safety training programs for traders.
A Community Begins to Rebuild
As smoke cleared over the charred remains of what was once a vibrant marketplace, Hagadera’s trading community began the painful process of assessing losses and contemplating how to rebuild their businesses from scratch.
For many, the fire has wiped out years of accumulated capital and inventory, leaving them with no means to restart their enterprises without external assistance.
Community leaders are calling on the Kenyan government, international humanitarian organizations, and private donors to provide emergency grants, low-interest loans, and material support to help traders get back on their feet.
“These are resilient people who have survived war, displacement, and countless hardships,” said Ahmed Hassan, a community elder in Hagadera. “They will rebuild, but they cannot do it alone. They need our support now more than ever.”
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of refugee populations living in informal settlements, where the absence of adequate infrastructure can transform everyday challenges into catastrophic losses, further marginalizing communities already living on the edge.
As investigations continue and recovery efforts begin, the people of Hagadera face an uncertain future, their livelihoods reduced to ashes in a matter of hours—a testament to both the fragility of refugee economies and the urgent need for improved safety standards in humanitarian settlements across the region.
