Gikomba traders face uncertainty as new market nears completion
Originally published by NTV Kenya — Read the original article →
For decades, Gikomba Market has been at the heart of Kenya’s second-hand clothing and footwear trade, supporting thousands of livelihoods and connecting businesses across the country.
But a multi-billion-shilling redevelopment project, intended to provide traders with safer and more organised working spaces, is raising fresh questions over who will get a place in the new market, how much they will pay and what will happen to those still awaiting relocation.
A total of 6,392 traders were moved to holding grounds, but only about 5,000 are currently registered for the first phase. As construction races towards the October 20 completion deadline, uncertainty is growing over who will be allowed to return to the new market.