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Build new markets with hygiene in mind
A section of Kibuye Market in Kisumu on April 26, 2025. The market has been closed indefinitely due to public health concerns.
The closure of Kisumu’s Kibuye Market, affecting 10,000 traders, has stirred national debate. For many Kenyans, the news came as a surprise; public health enforcement in markets has long been assumed forgotten. In truth, no major market in Kenya would pass a strict public health inspection today.
While counties deserve praise for building modern markets to replace the archaic open-air ones, serious issues of sanitation remain unaddressed. Waste management, sanitation facilities and proper drainage are critical gaps.
Though the new markets have uplifted the appearance of many towns, the heaps of uncollected rubbish and smelly, poorly maintained toilets are a carry-over from the defunct municipal and city councils.
The stench and sight of garbage often mark a county-run facility. Toilets are unusable, and only a few markets boast clean, running water. In the event of disease outbreaks, these conditions turn markets into ticking time bombs. Kibuye Market’s closure was triggered by a cholera outbreak—an indictment of the standards maintained.
A section of Kibuye Market in Kisumu on April 26, 2025. The market has been closed indefinitely due to public health concerns.
Markets are no longer just hubs for fresh produce; many now house thriving food businesses selling ready-to-eat meals. In places like City Market, Burma Market and Kenyatta Market in Nairobi, cooked food is a major attraction. Yet, hygiene levels in these markets remain deeply worrying.
Despite the progress made, most newly-constructed markets fall short of the standards set by the Public Health Act and the Food, Drugs and Chemical Substances Act.
Counties must integrate proper sanitation planning from the outset. Market designs should include ample ablution facilities, efficient drainage systems and regular waste collection schedules. Markets handling farm produce should invest in composting zones, turning organic waste into revenue-generating compost.
The closure of Kibuye Market must serve as a wake-up call. Modern markets should not only look good—they must meet the highest standards of cleanliness to protect traders, consumers, and public health.
David M. Kigo, Nairobi
