President William Ruto has unveiled a major redevelopment plan for Gikomba Market, announcing that the government will construct a modern market valued at KSh 5 billion.
Speaking after a recent visit to the bustling trading hub, President Ruto said the project is currently in the design phase and will replace the existing informal structures with a modern, organized facility.
He noted that the initiative is part of a broader plan to transform Nairobi into a more orderly, functional, and globally competitive capital city.
“I was in Gikomba and we are now designing a modern national market. I have given my undertaking that we are going to build a 5 billion shilling modern market in Gikomba,” the President said.
Ruto emphasized that the redevelopment is not only about infrastructure but also about restoring dignity to traders and improving working conditions within the market.
He said the new facility will be guided by principles of order, efficiency, and international standards, aimed at modernizing trade operations in one of Nairobi’s busiest commercial centers.
For decades, Gikomba Market has served as a key economic hub, supporting thousands of traders, but it has also faced persistent challenges including fires, congestion, poor sanitation, and inadequate infrastructure.
The proposed redevelopment is expected to address these issues through structured stalls, improved drainage, enhanced security, better sanitation, and improved access routes.
The announcement has been received with cautious optimism by traders, many of whom have long called for a permanent solution to the market’s long-standing challenges.
If implemented, the project is expected to benefit over 10,000 traders and significantly boost economic activity while improving Nairobi’s urban planning and safety standards.
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