Toi Market traders demand fresh public participation on perimeter wall, fire station plans

Traders at Toi Market in Kibra are calling on Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration to conduct fresh public participation on plans to build a perimeter wall and establish a fire station at the market.

The traders, led by Okoth Ong’ayo, on Thursday said there have been differences between them on the demarcation of the market.

They are asking for speedy engagement between the county government and the traders, who fear that a delay in modernising the project might see it politicised.

“The county government had allocated funds to build an ultra-modern market, but it has failed to do so after the traders here failed to agree on the first public participation. We are urging Governor Sakaja to speed up the process of erecting a perimeter wall of the entire market,” said Okoth.

According to the traders who spoke to The Eastleigh Voice, Toi Market was initially allocated Sh100 million in the 2023/2024 budget for upgrading, including a perimeter wall by the county government, but this was not implemented.

“Apart from the plans by the county government, a subsequent pledge of Sh500 million for the Toi Market's modernisation was made by President Ruto. If the perimeter wall for Toi Market is currently under procurement, as is being said, we urge City Hall to speed up the process,” said Okoth.

Attempted land grabbing

Another trader, Betty Obado, said the market has been bedevilled by a lot of challenges, such as attempted land grabbing and constant fires, making it difficult for them to thrive.

“You are aware that we’ve been suffering multiple losses as a result of fire outbreaks. We want the matter of erecting the fence and ensuring there’s security put to rest,” Betty pleaded.

Okoth and Betty are among thousands of traders in Nairobi’s most popular market, which is also an economic lifeline for thousands of traders and residents. Situated on a 4-acre plot of land at the centre of contestation between traders and private developers.

The market has approximately 5,000 traders who are segregated into sections according to the types of products they sell. However, a conflict lies in the growing tension between land grabbers seeking to illegally take possession of the land on which traders depend for their livelihoods.

For the traders who have worked in Toi for decades, the threat of losing their livelihoods due to eviction by land grabbers is a pressing concern.

Devastating fires

Over the past decade, the Toi Market has been ravaged by a series of devastating fires.

In 2014, a fire broke out and destroyed property of unknown value, rendering many jobless. Police said the fire started from one stall before spreading to others, with the cause not yet known.

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• Nairobi Governor
• Toi Market fire
• Toi Market traders demand fresh public participation on perimeter wall
• fire station plans

Traders at the market have kept inquiring about why they never receive reports after reported fire incidents. They claimed that, amidst the fires, there is a much deeper corruption issue at play that contributes to these tragic events.

The traders have expressed frustration over the lack of transparency and accountability when it comes to investigating the fire occurrences.

In June 2018, a fire which began in a section dealing with timber and clothing claimed 15 lives and left 60 others injured.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta promised investigations into the cause of the fires, emphasising on identification of the culprits.

However, there was no clear follow-up.

Traders continue to ask why fire investigations are never concluded and why the community continues to face the same cycle of destruction year after year.

In 2019, two separate fires broke out in March.

Suspected arson

Investigators suspected arson as the cause. Once again, minor investigations were conducted to address the root causes of the incidents.

By November 2021, another fire had razed part of the market, leaving traders counting yet another round of losses.

The most recent inferno occurred in August 2024.

According to Daudi Khose, the secretary-general of traders at Toi Market, approximately 2,000 traders were affected by the fire, which claimed four lives and destroyed property worth millions.

“This incident, like many before, is part of a broader, systemic issue that calls for urgent attention,” he said.

Corruption

Traders at the market believe that corruption is at play.

Over time, traders have continued to experience frequent fires in certain parts of the market, especially in stalls that have been subject to endless conflicts and in areas where illegal activities are suspected to be carried on.

Wangui emphasised that Governor Johnson Sakaja's promise to fortify the market with a perimeter wall to enhance security is progressing as planned.

In August 2024, Nairobi County’s Chief Officer for Markets and Trade, Jane Wangui, said the procurement process for the construction of a perimeter wall at the Toi Market was underway.

Wangui said work is set to begin as soon as the procurement process is complete.

Perimeter wall

Speaking during a tour of the market, Wangui emphasised that Governor Johnson Sakaja's promise to fortify the market with a perimeter wall to enhance security is progressing as planned.

“I want to confirm to the traders that, as the Governor promised, he will deliver the perimeter wall to curb insecurity in the market,” Wangui stated.

In addition to addressing the security concerns, Wangui reiterated that the three-month waiver on market charges for traders, as directed by the governor, is now in effect.

Samson Ochieng Jera, a Member of the County Assembly in Lindi ward, said that for over 13 years, there has been an ongoing court case with more than 10 title deeds being produced. He noted that the title deeds were acquired fraudulently.

“Recently, the courts ruled that the Toi market stands on public land, and therefore all the fake title deeds were revoked,” he added.

Lawrence Otieno, the MCA for Sarangombe Ward in Kibra, alluded to the fact that land grabbers have been behind the Toi Market woes.