Tragedy Strikes Daraja Mbili Market in Kisii: A Call for Urgent Action
On the morning of August 6, 2025, Daraja Mbili Market, one of Kisii County’s bustling economic hubs, was struck by a devastating accident. A trailer truck, reportedly suffering from brake failure, lost control while descending from Kisii town, crashing into traders, boda boda riders, and vehicles at the busy market. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as the lorry collided with a tuk-tuk, a Probox vehicle, motorbikes, and roadside vendors, including women selling tomatoes. At least two traders—a man and a woman—lost their lives, with 16 others injured, four critically, now receiving treatment at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital. The incident has left the community in mourning and reignited calls for safety improvements at this notorious blackspot along the Kisii-Migori highway.
Daraja Mbili, the second-largest open-air market in Nyanza after Kibuye in Kisumu, serves as a vital lifeline for over 7,000 traders, many of whom travel from as far as Tanzania and Uganda to sell goods like tomatoes, onions, and other fresh produce. The market, which operates primarily on Mondays and Thursdays, has undergone significant upgrades in recent years, including a KSh 204 million project funded by the National Government to construct a modern three-storey facility. Completed in 2020, the structure boasts a wholesale section, loading bays, cold rooms, a police post, a cyber café, ATMs, offices, and kiosks, offering traders relief from the elements like rain and dust that once plagued their roadside stalls.
Despite these improvements, traders continue to face persistent challenges. Poor sanitation, uncollected garbage, and inadequate drainage systems have been sore points, with flash floods destroying goods during heavy rains, as seen in April 2022 when trader Mercy Akoth lost her entire stock. Congestion along the Kisii-Isebania highway forces many to sell by the roadside, increasing the risk of accidents. Security concerns, including theft and vandalism, also persist due to poor lighting and weak surveillance. Traders like Cecilia Moraa and Mary Onsomu have voiced frustrations over the market’s condition, noting that upgrades like modern stalls and expanded parking have not fully addressed these issues.
The recent tragedy underscores the urgent need for infrastructure improvements. Kisii Deputy Governor Elijah Obebo has called the area a blackspot, warning that a similar incident on a peak market day could have been catastrophic. Local residents and traders are demanding that the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) install safety features and expand the dangerous stretch of road. Plans for a dual carriageway, walkways, and an underpass at the market, funded by the African Development Bank, offer hope, but implementation remains pending.
The Kisii County Government has made efforts to modernize Daraja Mbili, including a partnership with Chase Bank and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) for a KSh 400 million facelift that includes a flyover, modern stalls, and floodlights. Community-led initiatives, like a recent clean-up by the Kisii County Department of Lands and Kisii University, have also aimed to improve sanitation. Yet, traders continue to call for more consistent action, including better drainage, regular garbage collection, and increased security to make the market a safer and more sustainable hub.
As the community mourns the lives lost in this tragic accident, the spotlight is on both the county and national governments to deliver on long-promised infrastructure upgrades. Daraja Mbili Market remains a cornerstone of Kisii’s economy, and ensuring its safety and functionality is critical for the thousands who depend on it. For the latest updates on this story and more, visit street.co.ke.