More than a month after a fire destroyed businesses at Gikomba Market, traders are still waiting for compensation, with many saying they have not received the support promised by the government.
The traders say they lost goods worth millions of shillings when the fire swept through parts of the market on June 21, leaving many without a source of income.
They now want both the national government and the Nairobi County Government to fulfil their promises and provide compensation to help them rebuild their businesses.
Their demands have received support from Kamukunji Member of Parliament Yusuf Hassan, who has called on both levels of government to take immediate action and assist the thousands of traders affected by the fire.
In a statement, the MP said he stood with the traders as they continued to deal with the impact of the fire and supported their demand for assistance from the government.
"I fully stand with the Gikomba traders and their leadership as they grapple with the devastating aftermath of the June 21 fire. I endorse their call for urgent support from both national and county governments for the thousands who lost everything," Yusuf said.
The traders say they have continued to struggle since the fire because they depended on their businesses for daily income. Many say they have been unable to restart their businesses because they lost all their stock during the incident and have not received any financial support despite assurances that help would be provided.
According to the traders, several government leaders visited the market after the fire and promised to support those who had suffered losses. However, they say more than a month later, none of the affected traders has received compensation, leaving many uncertain about how they will recover.
Yusuf criticised what he described as a lack of action by both the national and county governments, saying those affected had been left without the assistance they urgently needed.
"It is regrettable that both governments have ignored the tragedy. The Nairobi Governor, who requested the victims' list shortly after the fire, has neither visited nor responded to their appeals," he said.
He said the traders deserved support because they make an important contribution to the economy through their businesses and tax payments. He added that the government had a responsibility to stand with them during difficult times instead of leaving them to recover on their own.
The MP also questioned the services provided to traders despite the taxes they pay every year. He argued that the market continues to face challenges while traders continue to meet their obligations to the county government.
According to the MP, the traders would be justified in withholding payment of market cess until they receive the support and services they have been demanding.
"These hardworking traders contribute millions in taxes yet receive no services in return. They would be entirely within their rights to say 'enough is enough' and withhold market cess until they see real support and basic services. The county government must act without delay," he added.
The latest calls for compensation come as affected traders continue to count their losses and wait for government intervention. Many say the delay has made it harder for them to recover because they have been unable to replace the goods destroyed in the fire or resume normal business operations.
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