Garissa Township Member of County Assembly (MCA) and Minority Leader, Hussein Mohamed Dagane, tabled a motion urging urgent reforms in disaster preparedness and fire emergency response across Garissa County on Tuesday.
The motion comes in the aftermath of a devastating fire that broke out around 7:00 a.m. at Suq Mugdi market, one of the county’s busiest commercial hubs.
The blaze tore through large sections of the market, destroying hundreds of stalls and reducing scores of small businesses to ashes before firefighters and local volunteers managed to contain it.
The Kenya Red Cross, which was among the first responders, said it worked alongside a multi-agency team to bring the fire under control and provided first aid to five people at the scene.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, and investigations are ongoing.
Addressing the fourth session of the third Assembly of Garissa County, Dagane described the inferno as “catastrophic,” saying it had left a trail of destruction, with many families and traders now struggling to recover their livelihoods.
Garissa Township Member of County Assembly (MCA) and Minority Leader, Hussein Mohamed Dagane. PHOTO/Hussein Haji
He underscored the economic importance of Suq Mugdi, calling it one of the largest and most vibrant commercial centers in the region.
The market, he said, is a lifeline for thousands of residents—providing income, employment, and trade opportunities while also contributing significantly to the county’s revenue.
Dagane expressed deep concern that this was the third major fire at Suq Mugdi in recent years, a worrying pattern that he said exposes critical gaps in the county’s disaster response systems.
He blamed the lack of a nearby, well-equipped fire station for the delayed response, which allowed the flames to spread rapidly and cause severe losses.
“The destruction caused by this fire is not just financial—it has devastated livelihoods, displaced traders, and pushed many families into hardship,” he told the Assembly.
Dagane reminded fellow lawmakers that the Constitution of Kenya 2010 places responsibility for disaster management and fire services squarely on county governments, under Part 2 of the Fourth Schedule.
He also cited the County Government Act 2012, which obligates counties to ensure safe living environments, plan for emergencies, and incorporate disaster risk management into their development plans.
“Addressing disaster preparedness is not just a legal duty—it is a development necessity,” Dagane said, adding that Garissa County’s planning must align with national priorities like Vision 2030, as well as international frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
In his motion, Dagane called on the Department of Lands, Housing, Physical Planning, and Urban Development to urgently establish a fully functional and strategically located fire emergency response substation at Suq Mugdi.
He further urged the county to allocate sufficient funds in upcoming budgets for the station’s construction, equipping, and staffing.
He also recommended a comprehensive fire risk assessment and hazard mapping of Suq Mugdi and its surrounding areas to inform better safety planning, zoning regulations, and disaster mitigation strategies.
To complement infrastructure and planning, Dagane proposed the launch of a structured and ongoing public education campaign targeting market users and nearby communities.
The program would focus on fire prevention, emergency response protocols, and general safety awareness.
By Tuesday, during a spot check conducted by Radio Generation, the market remained closed, with traders counting their losses and expressing frustration over the lack of fire safety infrastructure and emergency preparedness.
“We have lost everything—all the stock is gone. So is our only source of income,” said Amina Muse, a clothing vendor whose stall was among those razed.
“We’ve raised this issue before. Now that the matter has been taken to the Assembly, we hope it won’t just end in speeches. We need a fire station here, not next year—now.”
Mohamed Abdi, a grocer at the market, said that without proper fire response infrastructure, traders are left to fend for themselves during emergencies.
“Every time there is a fire, we rely on youth with buckets and a lot of luck. This is the third time, and it’s getting worse. We fully support Dagane’s motion—it’s urgent and long overdue,” he said.
Youths who participated in the firefighting efforts said they did their best, but were imitated by lack of proper tools and training.
“We try to help when fires break out, but we have no gear and proper coordination. If the county builds a fire substation and trains people, we’ll be better prepared,” said Dunje Nuur, a volunteer from Chief Camp.