This archive report was first published on 27 June 2020.
On Friday night, bulldozers arrived at Gikomba market in Nairobi, leaving over 1000 families without homes. The families, who had been living inside the market, were ordered to vacate the area immediately, forcing them to spend the night in the cold.
According to Kamukunji deputy commissioner Moses K-rilan, the demolitions were aimed at preventing further destruction by collapse of some of the relatively weaker structures. The Nairobi Metropolitan Service plans to build new long-lasting buildings and structures not prone to collapse.
Just two days prior, a fire broke out at the market, destroying property of unknown value. Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho suggested that private developers seeking to grab the expansive market area may be to blame for the incident.
The government has reiterated plans to relocate the Gikomba traders to other markets being developed in other parts of the city.
