Traders in Nairobi’s Wakulima (Marikiti) markets on early Thursday September 12, 2024, morning took to the streets to air their grievances causing a massive disruption of activities in the Nairobi Cental Business District (CBD).
The Marikiti traders staged protests as early as 3 am in the morning blocking traffic on major roads to and out of Nairobi including sections of Haile Sellasie Avenue and Jogoo Road.
Traffic was heavily affected along Haile Sellasie Avenue as it was blocked from the Jogoo Road and Moi Avenue roundabout directions.
In addition, these protests caused a major traffic disruption in the city with motorists heading towards and from the CBD through Jogoo Road advised to avoid the route.
By the time of publishing, no vehicles were allowed in and out of CBD from both the Jogoo and Ladhies Roads’ directions.
The traders lit bonfires lit along Haile Selassie Avenue and set part of the Nairobi City County askaris’ “kanjos” Yard near Marikiti market on fire.
Also, the traders mainly comprised of mama mbogas were teargassed by Police deployed in the area.
A witness at the scene confirmed to The Kenya Times that a few Anti-riot police were at the scene by the time of publishing.
The protests erupted after traders started demonstrating over the decision by Nairobi County governor Johnson Sakaja to relocate them to another market.
The planned relocation announced in a notice by the acting County Secretary Godfrey Akumali dated September 10 angered the traders who started demonstrating at around 3am.
Nairobi City County orders Marikiti traders to relocate
In the notice seen by The Kenya Times, the County government directed all onion, pineapple, oranges and potato traders operating outside and inside the market to move to another location.
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According to the notice, this came following a decision to congest Nairobi CBD. The traders were directed to move Kangundo Road market with the notice effective immediately.
“This is to bring to your attention the Nairobi city county government’s decision to decongest the Nairobi central business district for smooth vehicle traffic and human flow,” read part of the notice.
“It has been decided that all onion, pineapple, oranges and potato traders operating outside and inside the market relocate to Kangundo Road market where there is spacious trailing space and ample parking for business.”
Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino while attaching the notice issued a statement demanding for the county government to respect Marikiti traders.
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He claimed that some traders who had relocated to Kangundo where the county government directed were attacked by the locals.
“Nairobi County Government should respect Marikiti traders. The traders were relocated to Kangundo where they were attacked by the locals and it’s a security threat to insist on them going back there,” said the Embakasi East lawmaker.
“Nairobians have no jobs and any business they partake to pay rent, school fees and buy food should be respected.” Governor Sakaja is yet to issue a statement.
Wakulima Market which is popularly known as Marikiti is Kenya’s largest wholesale fresh produce market which is a beehive of commercial activities joined at the hip with Muthurwa Market.
It is mainly comprised of mama mbogas selling vegetables, fruits and other farm products.
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