President William Ruto has defended the ongoing demolition in some areas of Gikomba market saying that it is part of the government’s plan to modernize the market through the construction of a ultra-modern linear trading complex.
The completion of the project will give rise to a seven-storey trade centre at an estimated cost of KSh 5 billion. The head of state further stated that traders had requested the government to carry out the redevelopment as the new market will provide better working conditions, safety, and opportunities for economic development in one of Nairobi’s busiest informal markets.
He blamed the Opposition for politicizing the traders and ethnically dividing them so as to obtain political benefits. The President however stated that such moves would not be able to stop the government’s development agenda.
Ruto highlighted his government’s promise to introduce a bottom-up economic empowerment model and saw the Gikomba upgrading as part of the implementation of his pledge to support small traders and provide sustainable economic opportunities.
The transformation of the commercial environment after the Gikomba market redevelopment is some of the expected results of this project.
