The government has disclosed a new system to allocate trading spaces in the newly revamped Ksh2.2 billion markets in Nairobi county.
The markets include Mwariro, Westlands, Gikomba, Karandini, and New Wakulima.
Nairobi has 20 open-air and 23 large markets that have not been able to accommodate the rising numbers of traders. President Uhuru Kenyatta, however, said that traders who previously inhabited the markets will be prioritized after the commissioning.
Politicians were cautioned against instigating the public to unlawfully take up the spaces.
“Soon I will come here and open the Mwariro market, but I don’t want to see any incitement on who will occupy these markets. We want to have a fair process to ensure that everyone will have equal opportunity to occupy the stores,” he said.
The remaining spaces will be awarded through an open ballot system manned by government officials. Traders have been lured into paying for spaces in the market which they end up not getting, thus the system will ensure fairness.
The goal is to clear out the crowded city markets to allow traders enough space to run their operations. The first phase of Gikomba market that cost Ksh493 million is complete and yet to be inhabited. The second phase is projected to be twice the size of the first one to accommodate hawkers.
4000 traders on the Haile Selassie avenue will occupy the New Wakulima Market on Kangundo road to give room for the construction of an overpass. A Ksh800 million overpass connecting enterprise road to CBD running over Nairobi railway station will eat into the old Wakulima market thus necessitating the relocation of traders.
The overpass will link Enterprise Road to Central Business District passing over the Nairobi Railway station and Wakulima Market and is expected to take up the space occupied by the old market.
Mwariro Market along Starehe sub-county cost Ksh 389 million has 360 stalls distributed in the six storeys. 318 traders who previously traded there will be given the first slots leaving the 42 up for brags in the open ballot. Karandini Market located at Dagoretti South that amounted to ksh294 million has 204 stalls distributed across the two storeys.
3000 traders will run operations in the Ksh 214 million, Westlands Market. The markets have been equipped with facilities and amenities to promote health, security, and trade.
