The Sh60 million Kitengela modern retail market remains shrouded in controversy three years after its completion, following recent vandalism and unfulfilled promises by the Kajiado County government.
For at least six years, dozens of traders have endured hardship in a makeshift market adjacent to the Kitengela bus terminus, where they were relocated to pave the way for the construction of the new market within the township.
In September 2015, Kitengela town — now a municipality — witnessed a series of protests as traders opposed the facelift of the old market, fearing they would be shortchanged in the allocation of new stalls.
The ensuing chaos led to the indefinite closure of the market, prompting then-Governor David Nkedianye to intervene and restore order after some traders took legal action.
In 2019, a Kajiado law court temporarily halted the relocation of traders until their case was heard and determined.
Eventually, an out-of-court settlement was reached, allowing the original list of traders to be surrendered to the court for safekeeping.
The county was then left to finance its construction at a cost of Sh60 million over three financial years.
Before construction began, Mr Nkedianye lost his re-election bid in 2017, and his successor, Governor Joseph Ole Lenku, inherited the project.
By 2019, traders were moved to a temporary makeshift market near the Kitengela bus terminus.
The two-story retail market was completed in 2021, but traders are yet to be resettled. The official opening has reportedly been postponed three times.
"Towards the 2022 elections, Governor Lenku promised that the market would be officially opened. The much-hyped launch, set to be officiated by a prominent opposition leader, was abruptly cancelled at the last minute. The market has since become a campaign tool for politicians," trader Jacob Wakiyo told Nation on Tuesday.
A Nation spot check revealed that the market has been partially vandalized. Electricity and solar cables, sockets, and bulbs have been stolen, and power meters tampered with.
Narrow cracks have begun appearing on the walls, while several stalls are partially covered by overgrown bushes.
The perimeter wall remains incomplete, as it is obstructed by the Kitengela Location Chief’s camp.
Additionally, a dozen metal shades have recently been erected next to the main building, an area originally designated for parking.
Kajiado East Sub-County Administrator Bruce Likama confirmed the vandalism but could not specify when it occurred.
"The damage was only discovered later since the market remains unoccupied. Electricity cables are expensive, and the contractor has assessed the damage but is yet to carry out repairs," Mr Likama said, without disclosing the financial loss incurred.
Trade, Investment and Enterprise Development County Executive Committee Member Ms Leah Marias assured Nation that the market would open soon after addressing some outstanding issues.
"Let the traders not panic. The market will be opened very soon after resolving drainage and lighting concerns," said Ms Marias, evading questions about the market’s capacity.
In an interview last year, Ms Marias said the county was struggling with the allocation of the 700 available stalls.
She noted that at least 3,000 traders had applied for spaces, despite the original list containing 2,000 names, signalling a looming conflict— especially among hawkers, who account for at least 1,000 applicants.
However, the Ms Marias figures are disputed by some traders, who claim the number of relocated vendors was 1,300.
Ms Naomi Wambua, a vegetable vendor, lamented that many traders had already abandoned the makeshift market in favour of rental spaces in the town center.
"This is a white elephant project that has no value for money. We’ve been fed empty promises by the current administration. Most of us have opted for private stores," said a frustrated Ms Wambua.
Her sentiments were echoed by dozens of traders, who described their attempts to push for the market’s opening as a "wild goose chase."
Aerial view of the Kitengela makeshift retail market in this picture taken on October 10, 2023.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Kitengela Hawkers Chairperson Peter Ndung'u said the hawkers’ association had submitted a list of 1,000 names to the county government for consideration.
On Sundays, Kitengela is flooded with hawkers from the town and its outskirts, including Nairobi, clogging all feeder roads.
"We submitted our names for allocation in the new market and are still waiting for an official response. We remain hopeful," said Mr Ndung’u.
Meanwhile, a mile away, the temporary market remains in a deplorable state. Many shades are abandoned, roofs are ripped apart, and only a quarter of the stalls are occupied.
Traders who have remained in the temporary market lament low customer turnout, despite efforts by the Kitengela Municipality management to keep vendors within the designated space.
Ms Wambua, the vegetable vendor, said financial constraints prevented her from renting a private store in town.
"Customers are few, and the business environment here is not conducive. It’s even worse during the rainy season," she said.
The county government’s failure to settle traders in the new market is seen as a major setback for Kitengela Municipality.
The 24-hour economy town was granted municipality status in 2022, but traders continue to struggle in limbo.
