Chaos as Marikiti traders protest against eviction notice, block CBD access

Chaos and traffic disruption erupted Thursday morning along Jogoo Road and Ladhies as Wakulima Market (Marikiti) traders took to the streets in protest.

The Eastleigh Voice confirmed that the traders were protesting an eviction notice issued by the Nairobi City County Government.

According to the traders, they were given just one day to vacate the market by City Hall, with orders to relocate to the new Wakulima Market along Kangundo Road.

In a notice dated September 10, 2024, all potato, pineapple, oranges and onion traders on and around Wakulima were told to relocate immediately.

“This brings to your attention the Nairobi City County Government's decision to decongest the Nairobi Central Business District for smooth vehicle traffic and human flow,” reads the notice.

“It has been decided that all potato, pineapple, oranges and onion traders operating outside and inside the market relocate to Kangundo Road Market, where there is spacious trading space and ample parking for business. This notice takes effect immediately,” it reads further.

The notice was from Acting County Secretary Godfrey Akumali.

The traders who are against the move held protests that started at dawn, where they blocked Ladhies Road and Haile Selassie heading to the Central Business District.

Jogoo Road commuters had to take alternative routes to reach the CBD, with some public service vehicles (PSVs) having to use roads that pass through Pumwani, Gikomba Market, and the Majengo area.

“Our matatu diverted from Jogoo Road, and we were told to alight at Mwariro Market in Kariokor and forced to walk to CBD,” Rose Njeri told The Eastleigh Voice.

She had boarded a matatu from Umoja One ward at 5:30 am.

“Those of us who were heading to town were told to alight in Kariokor, while those who wanted to access Lusaka Road alighted at City Stadium, “ Allan Wafula, who had left his house at Fedha Estate at 6 am, said.

The protests come a week after Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja ordered the immediate opening of the Sh800 million Kangundo road market, which had remained unoccupied for seven years after its construction was completed.