Caption for the landscape image: Gikomba: An autopsy of Kenya’s national wardrobe Sunday, April 05, 2026 Scroll down to read the article A man attempts to extinguish flames after fire broke out at Gikomba market in Nairobi on May 18, 2025. Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group By Justus Wanga Nation Media Group Article Related Walk long enough with a stone in your shoe and you stop feeling it. The pain becomes rhythm. You learn to limp without appearing injured. This is how Kenya walks on Gikomba. PREMIUM Bales, power and patronage: The hidden politics of Gikomba Popular used items market has since the 1950s been reshaped by fire, floods, demolitions and violence but has refused to bow down to these elements. PREMIUM Gikomba: End of an era? The Tuesday demolition of sections of the market has left thousands of traders stranded. End of Gikomba? State demolishes market for modern look Chairman of the shoe market confirmed that traders were aware of the planned relocation. Lift ban on used clothes imports, traders tell State Government should boost production of garment by giving makers incentives. Ruto vows to end decades of Gikomba land disputes 'I can assure you that Gikomba is public land... we must have documents to prove that Gikomba is public property.' — President Ruto . Recommended for you PREMIUM Maasai senior chief takes centuries-old Eunoto ceremony to film festival in India PREMIUM From hawking tea leaves to major player in manufacturing sector PREMIUM Fresh case questions legality of KURA boss Kinoti continued stay in office PREMIUM Macharia Gaitho: Ruto should learn from Trump loss PREMIUM Sh4.2bn goes up in smoke: How governors pumped billions into stalled projects Login to join the discussion Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. In the headlines Elections News Counties Business Opinion Sports Life & Style Health Podcasts Photos Newsletters Puzzles PREMIUM MPs push for LGBTQ crackdown despite Supreme Court ruling The LGBTQ community members have challenged in court laws that prohibit homosexuality and other acts deemed unnatural. Saudi travel ban on Kenya unjustified, says Africa CDC Agency says imported case not evidence of failed health security. Governor Rotich under fire for telling off deputy in public showdown Women leaders demand the governor apologise to deputy Grace Cheserek.
PREMIUM Bales, power and patronage: The hidden politics of Gikomba Popular used items market has since the 1950s been reshaped by fire, floods, demolitions and violence but has refused to bow down to these elements.
PREMIUM Gikomba: End of an era? The Tuesday demolition of sections of the market has left thousands of traders stranded.
End of Gikomba? State demolishes market for modern look Chairman of the shoe market confirmed that traders were aware of the planned relocation.
Lift ban on used clothes imports, traders tell State Government should boost production of garment by giving makers incentives.
Ruto vows to end decades of Gikomba land disputes 'I can assure you that Gikomba is public land... we must have documents to prove that Gikomba is public property.' — President Ruto
PREMIUM MPs push for LGBTQ crackdown despite Supreme Court ruling The LGBTQ community members have challenged in court laws that prohibit homosexuality and other acts deemed unnatural.
Saudi travel ban on Kenya unjustified, says Africa CDC Agency says imported case not evidence of failed health security.
Governor Rotich under fire for telling off deputy in public showdown Women leaders demand the governor apologise to deputy Grace Cheserek.
