Several people were reported injured on Thursday evening after a large structure which hosts traders at Kibuye Market in Kisumu City caved in following a heavy downpour in the area.
The incident also left many traders counting huge losses, as the shelter which hosted vendors of tomatoes, clothing, and cereals, caved in on their goods.
Reports suggest that the structure collapsed moments after heavy rains began, with the situation exacerbated by the strong winds which accompanied the downpour.
Heavy Rains Cause Part of Kibuye Market Structure to Collapse, Injuring Several Traders in Kisumu City. Photo: Courtesy.
According to witnesses, many of those who were injured received first aid treatment at the scene.
Footage obtained by Kenyans.co.ke showed several people stranded outside the collapsed structure as others struggled to salvage their belongings. The incident disrupted trading at one of East Africa’s largest open-air markets. The County government has called for calm while local authorities investigate the collapse.
The market had been closed for several years to allow for renovations and construction of the shed, which gave way yesterday.
Traders had recently returned after being temporarily relocated to the Uhuru Business Complex.
However, the County government noted that parts of the market were still under construction in a project funded by the national government through the State Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The collapse comes a day after strong winds damaged classrooms at Professor Ayiecho Obumba Secondary School in Muhoroni, Kisumu County.
The winds, accompanied by heavy rainfall on Wednesday, October 1, toppled several large trees, some of which fell on classrooms and the school library.
Fortunately, no learners were injured in the school incident.
