Several stalls and business establishments were destroyed on Tuesday evening after a fire broke out at Ifo, one of the camps within the Dadaab refugee complex.
The inferno, whose cause is yet to be established, spread rapidly through the densely packed market area, reducing shops and merchandise to ashes before volunteers intervened to contain the blaze.
The Dadaab Refugee Complex, established in 1992, is composed of three main camps— Dagahaley, Hagadera, and Ifo — with Ifo 2 later added as an extension of Ifo.
The complex was set up to host refugees fleeing the collapse of the Somali state and the ensuing civil war, which forced hundreds of thousands to cross into Kenya in search of safety.
Traders said they watched helplessly as years of investment went up in flames.
“I lost goods worth about Sh6 million. Everything was inside the shop—food items, electronics, and household supplies,” said Mohamed Abdi, a businessman operating in the camp.
“This is my only source of income, and now I have nothing left.”
Amina Hassan, who operated a beauty shop said fire had wiped out their livelihoods overnight.
“We tried to save what we could, but the fire was too strong,” said Amina Hassan, another trader affected by the blaze.
“There are no fire engines here, so we depend on ourselves and volunteers.”
Fire incidents have become increasingly common in Ifo and other camps within the Dadaab refugee complex. They are often fueled by congested structures, open flames, and the absence of adequate firefighting equipment.
The complex hosts a population of hundreds of thousands of refugees. It is one of the largest refugee settlements in the world.
Residents call on authorities and humanitarian agencies to improve fire safety measures.
Hassan warned that without urgent intervention, such incidents will continue to devastate already vulnerable communities.
No injuries or fatalities were reported.
