Following the initial demolition on March 30-31, work continued at Gikomba Market on Tuesday, affecting over 6,300 traders relocated to Kamukunji Grounds. Amid livelihood concerns, market association chairman Kibathi Mbugua emphasized prior consultations and a plan for traders to return to a modern three-floor facility in six months.
The demolition at Gikomba Market in Nairobi's Kamukunji sub-county, Africa's largest open-air market attracting 200,000 daily visitors, proceeded on Tuesday after starting overnight March 30-31 despite an earlier court halt. Primarily targeting shoe traders, the action clears space declared public land for riverbank restoration and development.
Over 6,300 traders were moved to a temporary site at Kamukunji Grounds. Association chairman Kibathi Mbugua, representing 100,000 members, stated that stakeholders agreed to cede 50 meters—30 for riparian works and 20 for a new market. 'We involved sellers step by step. In six months, they will return to a better Gikomba with three floors,' he told Taifa Leo.
The initiative, backed by President William Ruto's Ksh3 billion pledge for a modern market, addresses longstanding issues like congestion, poor infrastructure, and fires since the market's origins in the 1950s near the Nairobi River.
