End of Gikomba? State demolishes market for modern look

One of East Africa’s largest open-air markets, Gikomba, is being demolished in phases as the Kenyan government begins an ambitious plan to rebuild it into a modern facility.

However, Tuesday’s demolitions have drawn criticism with traders expressing concern about their livelihoods.

Traders woke up to find that demolition crews had cleared the last of the riparian encroachments overnight.

At the same time, the government released the first architectural impressions of what will replace one of East Africa’s most iconic trading hubs.

Mr Boniface Muigai, chairman of the shoe market, confirmed that traders were aware of the planned relocation.

“The modernisation of Gikomba Market is a strategic initiative designed to improve safety and infrastructure, and to create an environment that supports both traders and consumers,” he said.

He explained that while land was provided for temporary markets, traders had to build their own stalls. “The government had not accounted for building stalls and shade, so traders contributed and put up structures themselves,” he said.

Muigai added that traders helped build the holding area and were given notice to relocate by March 30.

Some traders, however, expressed frustration, claiming authorities had not provided sufficient relocation measures despite issuing an evacuation notice.

State Department for Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary Charles Hinga said the government would meet all relocation costs for traders affected by the redevelopment.

The announcement followed complaints from traders who said they had been asked to pay a fee of Sh5,000 and monthly rent of Sh1,500 for newly allocated stalls.

Speaking at a press briefing on the market’s redevelopment, PS Hinga said traders would not be required to pay any relocation costs.

“Whatever cost that is concerning your relocation, the government is going to meet it,” he said, responding to concerns over affordability.

The assurance comes after protests by some traders who alleged they were being charged to occupy temporary sites established under the Nairobi Rivers Regeneration Programme.

Others said the additional costs, coupled with disrupted business operations, would further strain their livelihoods.

Mr Hinga acknowledged the disruption caused by the move but reiterated that the government would cover the associated costs to support a smooth transition.

He added that consultations with traders’ representatives are ongoing to determine the full cost, which the government has committed to meet.

The operation, carried out under tight security, saw traders wake up to flattened stalls and scattered merchandise, marking a significant disruption in one of the city’s busiest informal trading hubs.

The redevelopment of Gikomba Market forms part of a wider government plan to restore the Nairobi River and improve infrastructure along its riparian corridor.

The project aims to address long-standing challenges at the market, including frequent fires, flooding, congestion and poor sanitation.

More than 6,300 traders have already been registered and relocated to temporary sites to pave the way for the first phase of construction, which is now underway.
Mr Hinga said some traders have taken the initiative to put up temporary structures at the decanting sites.

The first phase of the project is expected to be completed within four to six months, while the full redevelopment is projected to take about a year. Traders will gradually return to the upgraded facility once it is complete.

Night demolition 

Patrick Mumo, who has worked at the market for more than a decade said cranes moved in under the cover of darkness, taking many traders by surprise.

“They told us to secure our goods, but they didn’t give us a proper place to take them,” he said.

Other traders were more willing to relocate and embrace the new market acknowledging that the previous setup was poorly organised and prone to fires.
Andrew Mwangi said the notice expired on Sunday, but traders were told to remove their goods on Monday.

“I followed the rules because I didn’t want to lose my goods, so I moved them yesterday and kept them safe,” he said.

President William Ruto on Tuesday shared a video showcasing a new ultra-modern Gikomba market just hours after the overnight demolitions left traders counting losses, prompting public debate.

Businesswoman Salome Wanjiru said she had previously lost money in fire outbreaks at the market.

But Opposition leaders have condemned the demolition, describing the operation as inhumane.

The group, which includes Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa and former Attorney-General Justin Muturi, criticised the government’s handling of the exercise.

Speaking in Wote, Makueni County, they accused the administration of disregarding the livelihoods of ordinary Kenyans.

The demolition, carried out on the night of Monday, March 30, targeted the shoe section of the market, leaving traders assessing their losses.

The demolition by Nairobi County aimed to clear a 50-metre buffer from the riverbank, 30 metres to restore riparian land and reduce flooding and 20 metres for the new market.

Renderings of the proposed redevelopment reveal a  multi-level market rising along a restored Nairobi River corridor, a stark departure from the informal sprawl that has long defined the area.

The design features a multi-storey trading block with wide, canopied walkways, colour-coded shopfronts and spacious ground-floor loading bays to support the heavy flow of goods.

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