This archive report was first published on 9 June 2020.
On June 8, 2020, the curtain fell on Kibuye, a vibrant open-air market in Kisumu County, as authorities demolished structures amidst protests from traders.
The market, which had been a hub for over 20,000 traders, was relocated weeks prior to the demolition, with many traders left counting heavy losses.
Senior Resident Magistrate Robinson Ondieki had issued a temporary injunction on Friday, June 5, 2020, barring the county government from evicting the traders pending a court hearing.
However, county officials claimed they had not been served with the court order at the time of the demolition.
Kisumu City Manager Doris Ombara defended the county's actions, stating that the administration would not relent until the market was upgraded.
Ombara accused cartels of disrupting market development and claimed that some politicians were funding traders to challenge the construction in court.
"We will play our cards and use everything in our means to make sure the market is built; cartels want to run the city, who earn money from desperate traders yet continue to perform poorly," Ombara said.
Traders like John Aluma, who had operated a furniture stall for 48 years, were left devastated by the demolition.
"It is really unfortunate. I have lost all my life with the actions of the county government," Aluma said.
The new market is expected to cost up to Sh479 million and will accommodate more traders with modern facilities.
