NAIROBI, Kenya — Traders from Gikomba Market have received a significant boost after meeting President William Ruto at State House on Tuesday, where the head of state issued several directives aimed at protecting the market, improving infrastructure, and enhancing public services.
The delegation of about 250 traders, led by Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan, included chairpersons from all market sections and representatives of the Mitumba Consortium Association of Kenya, which represents second-hand clothing traders across the country.
VISIT TO STATE HOUSE YIELDS BIG WIN FOR GIKOMBA TRADERS.Yesterday, I led a delegation of about 250 traders from Gikomba Market in Pumwani to meet President William Ruto at State House.The group included chairpersons from all market sectors, as well as representatives from
During the meeting, President Ruto gave the following directives:
- Title Deed for Gikomba Market: The Ministry of Lands and the National Land Commission (NLC) were instructed to issue a title deed within 90 days to safeguard the market from land grabbers and speculators.
- Rebuilding the Open-Air Market: Plans include paved cabro surfaces, proper roofing, improved drainage, and enhanced lighting to create a safer, more organised trading environment.
- New Gikomba Quarry Road Market: The seven-storey facility is to be completed within 60 days, after which traders will move in.
- Pumwani Level 3 Hospital: The government will fully equip the hospital, while Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has been tasked with hiring doctors, nurses, and support staff to ensure it opens promptly.
- New Gikomba Fire Station: The county government has been directed to accelerate the opening of the facility to improve safety in the market.
Gikomba Market is the largest open-air market in East Africa, hosting over 100,000 traders and attracting about 200,000 shoppers and service providers daily.
The market supports the livelihoods of more than two million Kenyans and generates approximately Sh12.6 billion in government revenue annually.
MP Yusuf Hassan praised the President’s intervention, saying the directives would protect traders’ livelihoods and improve working conditions in one of Kenya’s most important economic hubs.
