By Antynet Ford
Operations along Ladhies road and Haile Selassie avenue were today morning brought to a standstill today morning after Wakulima (Marikiti) market traders protested over the short notice to vacate to Kangundo road market.
The traders vowed to halt operations until the Nairobi County Government withdraws the eviction notice.
They blocked Ladhies Road and Haile Selassie heading to the Central Business District.
The traders lit fires blocking main access roads but police officers who arrived at the market used teargas canisters to disperse the crowd.
In a notice dated September 10, 2024, all potato, pineapple, oranges, and onion traders on and around Wakulima were told to relocate with immediate effect.
“This brings to your attention the Nairobi City County Government’s decision to decongest the Nairobi Central Business District for smooth vehicle traffic and human flow. It has been decided that all potato, pineapple, oranges, and onion traders operating outside and inside the market relocate to Kangundo Road Market, where there is spacious trading space and ample parking for business. This notice takes effect immediately,” it reads further.
The traders stated that Kangundo Road has already been fully occupied and the eviction will render them jobless
“This market brings about Ksh. 500,000 every day to the county government. If they knew what they were doing they would collect that money for two or three years and build a bigger market that would accomodate all of us.”A trader explained.
The traders further lament that the eviction notice was given on short notice and that leaving the premise will not be feasible.
The notice was from Acting County Secretary Godfrey Akumali.
According to the traders, they were given just one day to vacate the market by City Hall, with orders to relocate to the new Wakulima Market along Kangundo Road.
Jogoo Road commuters had to take alternative routes to reach the CBD, with some public service vehicles (PSVs) having to use roads that pass through Pumwani, Gikomba Market, and the Majengo area.
The protests come a week after Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja ordered the immediate opening of the Sh. 800 million Kangundo road market, which had remained unoccupied for seven years after its construction was completed.