From roadside to stalls: Enumeration exercise sets the stage for South B's Sh350 million market

Traders in Nairobi's South B estate are finally set to benefit from a Sh350 million modern market project, ending years of unsafe roadside trading.

In preparation for the market's construction, the Nairobi County government has launched a two-day enumeration exercise to ensure the rightful traders and landlords are prioritised for stall allocations once the market is completed.

David Githaiga, the Assistant Director for Markets at Nairobi County Government, highlighted the importance of involving the community in the process.

"My duty was to come attend the public participation, which is a requirement by the rule that you can't do anything for the people without the people. So we're very thankful to make sure that people are aware, the traders are aware the market is coming, and it's coming because of them," he said on Tuesday.

"This exercise ensures by the end of the day, we won't have a white elephant in terms of a market without traders. So that's the most important thing that we are doing so that these will guide on their allocation of spaces that we don't allocate to people who are not traders," he added.

Githaiga further emphasised that the focus is on empowering South B traders and ensuring they benefit from the new facility.

"As we empower the people within South B, we are very sure that the uptake of the market will be 100 per cent," he added.

The new market is poised to bring significant improvements to the area, providing a much-needed, safe space for business operations while boosting the local economy.

The project will accommodate over 2,700 traders and is expected to transform the local economy by providing a safer, more organized space for businesses.

For years, traders in South B have been operating on roadside reserves, often risking their lives due to the busy roads and unsafe conditions.

This unsafe environment led to protests when a private developer attempted to grab the land designated for the new market.

In response, South B residents, led by area MCA Waithera Chege, who is also the Deputy Minority leader at the County Assembly, petitioned through the Lands Committee, which determined that the land, valued at Sh200 million, was public and should remain so.

"We have been fighting issues of land grabbing in South B. I'm glad we were able to bring back the market land, which had been grabbed by a sitting Kiambu MP. I'm now pleased that the President and the county government have agreed to build a modern market on this land," she said during a meeting with the traders.

Other Topics To Read

• City Affairs
• South B Ward
• South B traders
• South B market
• From roadside to stalls: Enumeration exercise sets the stage for South B's Sh350 million market
• Headlines

KURA's concerns

However, traders' operations have not been without controversy. KURA (Kenya Urban Roads Authority) had accused the traders of illegal encroachment, breaching Section 49 (a) of the Kenya Roads Act and not seeking KURA's permission to build.

The Roads Act prohibits any unauthorized structure or thing on, over, or below the surface of a road reserve and forbids any vehicular or pedestrian obstruction without KURA's permission.

In September 2021, KURA issued a notice to the traders, demanding that all structures erected along the roads be demolished.

Traders were warned that failure to comply would result in the properties being demolished, but the threat has never been enforced.

Despite this, traders have lived in constant fear of losing their businesses and livelihoods.

Operating from the encroached roadside land has also contributed to illegal dumping in open drainage systems, resulting in stagnant water and further safety risks.

Most traders in South B operate along road reserves, as there is no public market in the ward. This situation has created a precarious environment for both traders and customers.

However, the new market project promises to address these long-standing issues and provide a more secure and organised environment for the business community.

The new market will be a three-storey facility equipped with modern amenities, including a lactating room for traders with infants.

The construction will take seven months, with 300 local youth expected to be employed during the process.

Game-changer

The market is set to transform the local economy, providing traders with a safer, more stable environment to conduct their business.

"We have been selling on the roadsides for more than 30 years now. This market will be a game changer and will uplift the economic status of South B," said James Maina, Chairman of the South B Traders Association.

The government's Ministry of Lands, Public Works, and Urban Development has officially awarded the construction tender to Jyan Construction Services. The ministry has also instructed traders occupying the land to vacate so construction can begin. MCA Waithera emphasized the importance of the enumeration process, which ensures that legitimate traders are prioritized for the new stalls.

"We are carrying out the enumeration in collaboration with the county government to ensure that the bonafide tenants and landlords are the ones who will get these shops once they are complete," she added.

The Deputy Minority leader also called on traders to ensure they comply with the necessary regulations, including paying the required taxes.

"If you do business, kindly pay sales tax for you to get good services from the government, including schools, water, and good roads," Waithera said.

"The stalls at the new market shall be allocated to those who comply and pay the returns."

The new market project is a major step forward for South B residents, who have long struggled with the lack of proper infrastructure.

The project is expected to not only provide a safe and modern space for traders but also help eliminate roadside vending, improving safety for pedestrians and drivers alike.

"Once we complete that market, I guarantee you no trader will be allowed on the roadside because I will hand over the roads to the Kenya Urban Roads Authority," said Waithera.

Traders in the area, who have long faced dangers while conducting business along busy roads, are eager to see the completion of the new market.

Many expressed relief and excitement for the future.

"I'm happy because we shall relocate from the road. As parents, we also have children, and we are always in fear of our children being knocked down by bodabodas and vehicles," said Elizabeth Mueni.

"We have stayed along that road for over 20 years and we are glad that finally, we will have a market to relocate to."