A dispute has emerged at Gikomba market in Nairobi after traders pushed back against a government plan to relocate them to pave way for the Nairobi River restoration, saying the process has left them in the dark and exposed to sudden displacement.
The situation escalated on Tuesday when officials visited the market to inspect a proposed temporary site, only to be met by agitated traders who questioned the exercise and demanded clarity. Many said they were caught off guard and feared losing their businesses without adequate notice or preparation.
Traders accused authorities of rolling out the relocation without proper engagement, despite their long presence at the market. They said decisions affecting their operations were being made without their input, raising concerns about fairness and transparency.
“At least give someone two months to prepare and show us where we are being taken. You cannot come with just two days’ notice when we have been here for 15 years… cleaning the river is good, but they should also consider us,” one trader said.
The disagreement deepened after officials introduced a revised boundary extending 50 metres from the river, up from the earlier 30-metre limit. Traders said the new directive was never part of earlier discussions and would displace far more people than initially agreed.
According to the traders, the additional stretch could wipe out the entire market space, leaving thousands without a place to operate. Some also voiced fears that the expanded boundary could open the door to land grabbing.
“Fifty metres means the entire market is gone. Where will we go?” another trader said.
The Nairobi County Government has stood by the directive, insisting that all traders within the 50-metre riparian zone must move out. Officials say a nearby site has been identified to host traders temporarily as plans for a new market continue.
Governor Johnson Sakaja defended the move, saying it is meant to protect lives and property, especially after flooding incidents linked to blocked waterways.
“All people living on riparian land must relocate to avoid floods. We have told them before, a report will be filed on Thursday,” Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja said.
Authorities have set the end of March as the deadline for traders to vacate, after which demolition of structures is expected to begin. The exercise mirrors ongoing operations in areas such as Grogon and Shauri Moyo, where buildings along river paths have already been cleared following recent heavy rains.
Meanwhile, the Nairobi Rivers Commission said it had held talks with traders through a multi-agency team to agree on a phased relocation plan ahead of the construction of a Linear Market along the river corridor.
The Commission indicated that the phased approach was meant to ensure business continuity while allowing restoration works to proceed, adding that the project is expected to take about four months.
“A multi-agency team led by Nairobi Rivers yesterday met Gikomba traders to discuss phased decanting ahead of the construction of Linear Market along the river corridor. Traders agreed to vacate in phases to allow smooth work with minimal disruption, as completion is set in four months,” the Commission wrote on X.
Even with these assurances, many traders remain unconvinced, saying the communication has been unclear and the timelines too tight. They are now calling for open engagement and more time to adjust as the government moves ahead with the river clean-up and redevelopment plans.
