NAIROBI, Kenya – Traders at Gikomba Market are counting losses after their stalls were demolished at night to pave the way for road construction, leaving dozens without places to continue their businesses.
The affected traders were operating from an area behind the new Gikomba Market, which is yet to open, where they sold clothes, cosmetics, chicken, bags and other goods.
The traders said the demolition has left them without their main sources of income and that they have not been told where they can relocate as construction continues.
Traders Given Three Days to Vacate
Some of the affected traders said they had received notices directing them to leave the area but complained that they were given only a few days to make alternative arrangements.
George Kimani, a trader who sold clothes and cosmetics, said he had operated in the area since 1998 and was among those affected by the demolition.
Kimani said traders were given between three and four days to vacate the area.
“We were given a very short notice of three to four days,” he said.
He said traders had been informed that the government was constructing a road through the area and had asked whether they could be accommodated in the new market.
According to Kimani, their request was declined.
Trader Says Demolition Left Two People Jobless
Kimani said the demolition had also affected an employee who worked at his business.
He said both of them were now without an income after the stall was brought down.
“I used to have an employee, and both of us are now jobless,” Kimani said.
He appealed to the government to identify alternative trading spaces where affected businesses can resume operations.
Kimani said traders needed a place where they could continue earning a living while road construction proceeds.
Traders Arrive to Find Stalls Demolished
Another trader, Lydia Obare, said she was shocked to find her cosmetics business demolished when she arrived at the market in the morning.
Obare said the space had been her source of daily income and that she had not received information on where she was expected to relocate.
“I have been greatly affected as I have lost my working station,” she said.
She said the financial losses were difficult to quantify.
“I have incurred huge losses that I can’t even state,” she said.
Obare also said traders had not been informed whether they would eventually be allowed to operate from the new Gikomba Market.
New Gikomba Market Yet to Open
The traders’ concerns come as the new Gikomba Market remains unopened.
The affected businesses were operating from an area adjacent to the new facility, which traders had hoped could provide an alternative location.
However, the traders said they had not been given confirmation that they would be accommodated in the new building.
They are now calling on the government to provide temporary or alternative trading spaces to prevent further disruption to their livelihoods.
Road Project Forces Traders Out
The demolition was carried out to clear the area for road construction.
While the traders acknowledged that they had received notices to vacate, they said the short notice period and lack of alternative spaces had left them struggling to recover their businesses.
The affected traders are now seeking intervention from the government and Nairobi authorities to secure alternative trading areas where they can resume operations as construction continues.
