Gikomba Traders Demand Fair Relocation Plan Following Midnight Demolitions
The traders need to rebuild their businesses after suffering major disruptions which left their future in doubt.
By Ruth Sang
The traders at Gikomba Market in Nairobi requested better relocation options from authorities after their businesses faced destruction from midnight demolition which impacted the capital’s busiest informal market operations.
County officials executed the midnight demolition operation on Tuesday to recover riparian land which had been flooded during recent heavy rainstorms. The traders found their stalls damaged beyond repair when they arrived at dawn, which forced them to search through the rubble to retrieve their lost merchandise.
The traders who suffered losses during the operation expressed their anger because the authorities failed to establish relocation solutions for them despite receiving eviction notices. The affected parties accepted their warnings, yet they claimed the procedure lacked organization and its sudden implementation left them unable to transport their belongings.
Patrick, a shoe vendor at the market, recounted how the demolition unfolded under the cover of darkness, catching many traders unprepared. He said that the company had ordered them to protect their merchandise but none of the suitable storage facilities had been created yet.
“The company required us to secure our merchandise, yet they failed to provide us with an appropriate storage location. Our inventory remains unprotected which results in significant financial losses for us,” he stated.
He expressed concern about the relocation area, stating that it does not have enough space to accommodate all the traders who need to move. He mentioned that the expenses required to pay for the new facility exceed what most people can afford.
“The destination we are being assigned cannot accommodate all the people who require relocation. Additionally, the price to secure a location costs Sh5,000 while the monthly payment amounts to Sh1,500. The majority of vendors at this location lack the financial resources to meet these expenses” Patrick stated.
Steven Suleiman, another trader who operates an M-Pesa shop within the market, experienced additional financial damage after someone broke into his stall through the ruined parts of the market. He stated that the security situation combined with the planning deficiencies created a dangerous environment.
“Theft occurred when my transaction phone and cash were taken because the area lacked sufficient security measures and proper planning before the demolition work started,” Suleiman said.
The traders expressed their complaints but maintained support for government programs which promote development and protect natural resources. They demanded that these programs have to be executed under conditions which will sustain their current means of making money.
“The government has our support yet our business needs protection while the government has to address our requirements,” Suleiman stated.
The demolition which took place under strict security measures resulted in extensive destruction across the market area with merchandise scattered throughout the site and buildings completely destroyed. Gikomba operates as an active marketplace where thousands of small businesses rely on selling used clothing and shoes and home products. The traders need to rebuild their businesses after suffering major disruptions which left their future in doubt.
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