In a major victory for thousands of small-scale traders, the High Court has temporarily halted the Nairobi County Government’s aggressive demolition of the historic Gikomba Market.

The court’s intervention provides a critical lifeline for over 200 traders who faced abrupt eviction to make way for a controversial multi-million shilling fire station project championed by county authorities.

Gikomba, East Africa’s largest hub for second-hand clothing (mitumba), is more than just a market; it is the economic beating heart for countless families. The sudden arrival of bulldozers in the dead of night had sparked widespread outrage and despair.

A Battle for Livelihoods

Represented by high-profile lawyer Danstan Omari, the traders successfully argued that the demolitions were unprocedural, inhumane, and executed without meaningful public participation. Many of the affected merchants are senior citizens whose families have operated in the market since 1936.

The traders presented evidence of legitimate licenses and consistent payment of land rates, challenging the county’s sudden claim over the two-acre parcel of land.

• The evictions were allegedly carried out ruthlessly at midnight, contrary to the law.
• Two traders reportedly died due to depression following the destruction of their stalls.
• Justice Sammy Opande allowed the filing of a fresh petition to protect the traders' rights.

The county government defended its actions by citing public interest, arguing the necessity of a fire station in an area notorious for devastating, unexplained infernos. However, the court prioritized the immediate humanitarian crisis caused by the evictions.

Protecting the Vulnerable

This legal battle underscores the perpetual conflict between urban redevelopment and the rights of the informal sector. It exposes the brutal realities faced by "hustlers" operating at the mercy of shifting political agendas.

"The plight of the traders must be guarded jealously against the aggressors who have received licenses levy and now turn against the hopeless," Omari asserted in court, securing a vital pause in the destruction.