Fresh concerns over fire safety in Nairobi’s central business district have emerged after yet another blaze broke out around Luthuli Avenue on Saturday evening.
The latest incident occurred on January 10, 2026, when a building along Munyu Road, which branches off the busy Luthuli Avenue, was engulfed by fire.
Thick plumes of smoke rose into the sky, attracting crowds as emergency responders rushed to the scene to contain the situation.
Kenya Red Cross confirmed the fire through a brief update on its official X account, noting that emergency teams were on the ground and containment efforts were ongoing.
By late evening, firefighters were still working to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby buildings in the tightly packed commercial zone.
Munyu Road and Luthuli Avenue are known for their high concentration of electronics and mobile phone shops, making them particularly vulnerable to fires due to heavy electrical usage and congested structures.
Saturday’s incident comes barely days after a major fire at Ramogi House, a multi-storey commercial building on Luthuli Avenue, which left traders counting massive losses.
The Ramogi House fire first broke out on Tuesday, January 6, and was put out hours later, only for the building to catch fire again the following day.
Police officers were deployed to the area to secure property and deter looting as anxious traders and members of the public gathered.
Preliminary investigations linked the earlier Ramogi House fire to an electrical fault during routine repair works.
Nairobi County Assistant Director of Fire Services, Wilson Wanjiru, cited poor building design as a major obstacle during the rescue operation, highlighting that the building had only one exit.
Luthuli Avenue remains a critical commercial artery in Nairobi, supporting hundreds of traders and thousands of livelihoods.
Repeated fire incidents not only disrupt business but also expose deeper concerns about building safety standards, enforcement, and preparedness in the heart of the city.
As investigations continue, traders are once again left hoping for lasting solutions to prevent a repeat of such devastating losses.
