Traders at Nairobi’s Uhuru Market are seeking president’s intervention to prevent a private developer from occupying the land.
The traders led by Maringo MCA Mark Ndung’u traders said they have operated at the open-air market for more than three decades and the alleged acquisition of the land by the private developer reeks of the highest form of corruption.
Located along Jogoo Road, Uhuru Market is occupied by at least 6,000 traders. It has 324 stalls. Overall, 64% of dealers engage in textile production, with uniform production taking the lion share of 36.1%.
Demolitions
Despite the market existing for decades, it lacks a perimeter wall, floodlights, parking area and a sewerage system. More than 4,000 traders have already counted losses after their market stalls were demolished last month. The demolitions were executed after the private developer allegedly acquired the ownership of the land.
Last year in August, the traders also vowed not to move out of the market after they were served notice by the Nairobi Metropolitan Services. The traders were given two months to relocate from the market to leave to allow for rehabilitation of the facility.
This was after the NMS embarked on the rehabilitation work of eight markets, Uhuru Market included. The others are Jericho, Wakulima, Landhies Road, Kariobangi South, Kayole Spine Road, Embakasi and Muthurwa. NMS Director General Mohammed Badi explained that they were on a mission to improve upgrade the markets to modern ones and improve on ablution facilities. Markets with asbestos roofs will be removed and replaced with others. Perimeter walls and security lighting will be installed.
