Gikomba Traders Promised Modern Market in 6 Months After Demolitions

Traders of Gikomba Market have been promised a modern, well-organised trading hub within six months, even as many struggle to recover from recent demolitions that left sections of the market in ruins.

The government says the redevelopment will transform the sprawling market into a safer and more efficient space, but the announcement comes at a time when hundreds of traders are still counting losses after bulldozers flattened stalls in the shoe section on the night of March 30.

Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga said the project will be carried out in phases to avoid disrupting business for the thousands who depend on the market daily.

“It is not possible to relocate more than 200,000 traders at once. That is why we are implementing the project in phases, and no one will lose their livelihood because we have provided alternative areas for trading,” he said.

Gikomba, widely known as the region’s largest second-hand clothes market, has long been a lifeline for small-scale traders. However, years of congestion, poor drainage, and frequent fires have exposed its limitations, with the government now arguing that a complete overhaul is unavoidable.

Hinga said the market has outgrown its current setup, making it difficult for both traders and customers to operate efficiently.

“Despite having access roads, there is hardly any room for vehicles due to the overwhelming pressure. It has become a space that accommodates everyone, but in the process, it has lost functionality,” he noted.

The government has set aside about KSh5 billion for the redevelopment, which is expected to introduce structured stalls, improved sanitation, better drainage systems, and safer working conditions.

“We are reimagining Gikomba into a dignified and organised market. This is not just about construction, but about creating an environment where traders can operate safely and with pride,” Hinga said.

Even so, the demolition exercise has sparked anger among traders, many of whom say they were either not adequately informed or were unable to move their goods in time.

Demolition of Gikomba market

By Tuesday morning, affected traders were seen combing through debris, trying to salvage what remained of their businesses. Some reported losses running into millions of shillings, raising concerns about how they will sustain themselves in the coming days.

Others have accused authorities of exceeding agreed demolition limits, while a section of leaders has also criticised the manner in which the exercise was carried out.

Still, the government maintains that clearing parts of the market, especially those on riparian land along the Nairobi River, is necessary to pave the way for proper planning and to reduce environmental risks such as flooding.

While alternative trading spaces have been promised, some traders say access remains unclear and disorganised, adding to their frustration.

For many, the hope of a modern market offers some relief—but the immediate reality is far more difficult.

As the redevelopment begins, Gikomba now finds itself at a turning point, with traders balancing between the promise of a better future and the uncertainty of rebuilding their livelihoods from scratch.