The market relocation, proposed by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, has sparked intense controversy and opposition from traders, who argue that the move will disrupt their businesses and livelihoods.
On Saturday, September 14, 2024, Kalonzo Musyoka, accompanied by former Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu and lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, held a press conference at Wakulima Market.
During the meeting, Kalonzo expressed his strong opposition to the relocation plan, promising to file a court case to challenge the decision.
"I have instructed my lawyers, led by Ndegwa Njiru, to file a case on Monday to oppose this move," Kalonzo declared.
He criticized the county government for what he described as an unlawful decision that threatens the traders' sources of income.
Former MP Ferdinand Waititu supported Kalonzo's stance and urged the traders to resist the county government's relocation plans.
Waititu pointed out that the proposed new location, Kangundo Road Market, was already crowded with other traders.
"Do not follow the county government's plans to relocate. The new place is already occupied. This market is your space, and you have a right to stay here," Waititu told the traders.
The dispute began when Nairobi County announced plans to move traders from Wakulima Market to a new site on Kangundo Road. The county government claimed that an agreement had been reached with the traders after consultations.
However, many traders have contested this, arguing that they were not adequately consulted and that the proposed relocation would create more problems than it would solve.
Lucia Ndidi, a trader at Wakulima Market, expressed frustration with the county government's decision.
"When we elected Sakaja, we were operating freely, but now he wants to force us out of our market. We will not move," Ndidi said.
Another trader, Peter Munene, questioned the rationale behind the relocation, suggesting that government officials should consider relocating their offices instead.
"Why is the government moving us? They should move their offices to the market if they want to make changes," Munene argued.
The tension escalated on Thursday, September 12, when traders staged protests against the relocation plans. They blocked sections of Haile Sellasie Avenue, causing significant disruption.
The protests grew chaotic, resulting in damage to the City Council offices located near St. Peters Catholic Church. The office building suffered from fire damage as a result of the unrest.
The county government, however, has maintained that the relocation is necessary and has assured that the new market will be equipped to handle the traders' needs.
Despite these assurances, the traders and their supporters remain unconvinced and are determined to fight the relocation.
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