Gikomba Market Set for Modernisation Under KSh3 Billion Government Project

The Kenyan government has presented a redevelopment plan for Gikomba Market following the demolition of sections of the site earlier this week.

Officials say the project will modernise one of the country’s busiest trading centres with multi-storey buildings, organised stalls, pedestrian walkways, and designated parking. Visual materials released by President William Ruto show a structured layout intended to replace the congestion that has long defined the market.

County authorities carried out the demolition after issuing a 30-day notice, targeting areas along the Nairobi River. They state that the clearance is aimed at reclaiming riparian land, reducing flood risks, and creating space for new infrastructure. Traders and political leaders have questioned the timing and execution of the exercise, citing disruption to livelihoods.

The government describes the redevelopment as part of a wider economic and urban renewal programme. Ruto has referred to Gikomba as a national market that supports trade across the country. The project is backed by an allocation of KSh3 billion and forms part of a plan to build 20 modern markets under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

Design plans include improved access routes, open public spaces, and additional amenities such as a sports pitch near the river corridor. Authorities say these features are intended to improve safety and functionality in a market that has faced repeated fires, poor sanitation, and limited emergency access.

Traders affected by the demolition have been moved to temporary locations. Many report limited space and additional costs, including the need to build their own stalls. While some support the planned improvements, others say the relocation process has been difficult and costly.

Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga has stated that the government will cover relocation expenses. This follows complaints that traders were asked to pay fees and rent at temporary sites. He said consultations are ongoing to address these concerns.

More than 6,000 traders have been registered and relocated in the first phase of the project, which is expected to take several months. The full redevelopment is projected to last about a year, with traders returning in stages once construction is complete.

Opposition figures, including Kalonzo Musyoka and Rigathi Gachagua, have criticised the demolitions, questioning the decision to conduct the operation at night and pointing to the impact on affected traders.