Nairobi Demolishes Kenya's Largest Second-Hand Market Despite Court Orders
Nairobi, 31 March 2026
Bulldozers flattened sections of Gikomba Market overnight on 30th March 2026, displacing 6,000 traders from one of Kenya’s most vital economic hubs. The demolition proceeded despite court orders halting the evictions and allegations that officials demanded £30 bribes per stall for relocation. Traders now face complete income loss whilst authorities cite flood prevention as justification for clearing riparian land along Nairobi River.
Court Orders Ignored as Demolitions Proceed
The overnight demolition operation commenced around 21:00 on Monday, 30th March 2026, despite the Environment and Land Court at Milimani issuing conservatory orders halting demolitions and evictions under Justice Lilian Kimani [1]. The court had directed that the status quo be maintained, yet county authorities proceeded with bulldozers targeting shoe stalls and other small businesses into the early hours of Tuesday [2]. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino criticised the timing of the demolitions, alleging they occurred whilst Governor Johnson Sakaja was deliberately unavailable, stating that ‘his disappearance felt deliberate so he could not be reached when people needed answers’ [1]. The MP further accused authorities of orchestrating distractions at City Hall on 29th March, claiming ‘the police showing up pretending to arrest Johnson Sakaja was just a script to distract Nairobians’ whilst demolitions continued quietly [1].
Economic Devastation for 6,000 Traders
Approximately 6,000 traders have been affected by the demolition, with many arriving at the site from early morning on Tuesday to salvage stock from the wreckage [2]. The scale of economic disruption becomes apparent when examining the market’s footprint: Gikomba spans 16 acres, yet the temporary alternative site offered by authorities covers merely a quarter of an acre [2]. Trader George Ochieng articulated the disparity, stating ‘If we had been given an alternative space, we would have moved. Gikomba is 16 acres, but the temporary site is only a quarter of an acre’ [2]. Business owners have decried the loss of income, emphasising that the action has disrupted their livelihoods and supply chains [2]. Gikomba Market serves as one of Nairobi’s largest markets, providing vital livelihoods for thousands of small-scale traders who supply goods across the city through stalls often constructed from iron sheets and wood [2].
Allegations of Corruption Compound Trader Grievances
Beyond the immediate displacement, traders have faced additional financial burdens through alleged corrupt practices surrounding relocation efforts. Vincent Omondi, a trader at Gikomba Market, stated ‘We have decided not to move there because some people have hijacked the government process’ [1]. More specifically, traders were required to contribute KSh 5,000 (approximately £30) to secure space at the designated holding ground, with allegations that cartels were demanding these payments per stall [1]. The designated holding site was planned to accommodate up to 4,000 people, yet trader resistance has grown due to concerns over transparency in the relocation process [1]. Sylvia Wanjiku, another trader, demonstrated the defiant stance adopted by many: ‘We are not relocating, and we are not moving an inch. We will stay here because this is where we have always been’ [1].
Government Justifies Demolitions Amid Flood Concerns
County authorities have defended the clearance operation as essential for flood mitigation and river rehabilitation, with officials stating that structures must be removed 50 metres from the riverbank [2]. This distance includes 30 metres designated to restore the riparian zone and reduce flooding risks, plus an additional 20 metres to create space for a new market [2]. The crackdown on riparian encroachment gained particular urgency following devastating floods that recently swept across Kenya, claiming over 100 lives, with 37 fatalities recorded in Nairobi alone [3]. Governor Johnson Sakaja had previously warned of a crackdown to protect riparian land and discussed intentions to rehabilitate the Nairobi River, with notices issued in line with urban planning regulations [2]. The government has promised construction of a new market for displaced traders, though no timeline has been provided for this development [2]. The clearance underscores broader tensions between urban development, flood management, and informal trade, whilst traders continue calling for immediate solutions to preserve their income sources [2].