Concerns have been raised over the delay in allocation of stalls at the new Wakulima Market along Kangundo road after two years of its completion.
Embakasi West MP George Theuri sought answers as to why small-scale traders who were displaced to pave way for construction of Outer Ring road, are yet to get the stalls. These are the traders who had been displaced to pave way for the 13km dualling of Outering road back in 2015.
The African Development Bank funded the Sh8.5 billion project which is now a life-changing ramifications on travel from Eastlands into the city centre. As part of the project, a Sh800 million Wakulima market was to be set up to accommodate the displaced traders and those from the current Marikiti market in the city centre.
However, traders are yet to occupy the market in Mowlem ward, Embakasi West subcounty. Theuri is now seeking answers from the Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, urban Development and Public Works CS to explain what has caused the delays in the allocation of stalls.
“Could the CS confirm whether the multi-agency team established to formulate the allocation criteria for these stalls, carried out public participation prior to formulating and publishing the criteria in the local newspapers? and if not, undertake to have the exercise repeated with a view to ensuring the involvement of stakeholders as well as the public,” he said.
Allocation criteria
The MP also wants the CS to provide the status compensation for the traders who suffered losses following the displacement. The CS should also indicate the measures put in place by the ministry to ensure that only genuine persons benefit from compensation.
The query is before the departmental committee on Transport, Public Works and Housing at the National Assembly. The new market is expected to host 7,000 traders and remove some hawkers from the CBD. Kenya Urban Roads Authority via a public notice, published names of 943 traders who are set to get stall allocation at the market.
Kura also revealed that there was 490 spaces left in allocation of the Wakulima market. As a result, the interested persons were to go apply at the Deputy County Commissioner Njiru subcounty office at no fee.
The criteria used to allocate the 490 spaces include Mowlem ward with 147 stalls, 30%. The 30% allocation also applies to Embakasi West and the rest of Nairobi County. Forty-nine stalls have been set aside for Persons Living with Disabilities.
