The Nairobi County Government on Tuesday, November 5, 2025, announced the completion of a new seven-storey market complex intended to permanently address the recurrent fire disasters at Gikomba Market, East Africa’s largest open-air market. The modern facility, officially named Gikomba Quarry Road Market Block D, is designed to accommodate over 1,700 traders in a secure and organized environment.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, speaking during an inspection of the nearly finished facility, stated the project was a core part of his administration's commitment to uplift small-scale traders and restore dignity to the city's informal economy. “For years, Gikomba has been a place of pain for many families who've lost everything to fires. We committed to end that cycle of loss,” Governor Sakaja said on November 5. “What we're building here is not just a market, it's hope, order, and dignity for our traders.”

The new building incorporates modern infrastructure aimed at enhancing safety and functionality. Its features include basement parking, cold rooms for fresh produce, a daycare center for traders' children, a youth center, and dedicated hardware sections. This development is part of a broader county-wide initiative to modernize markets, with similar projects underway in Mutuini, Karen, and Kahawa West.

A History of Fire and Promises

Gikomba Market has a long and tragic history of fires, which have occurred almost annually, leading to immense losses of property and, in some instances, lives. A blaze in June 2018 claimed 15 lives and injured over 70 people, marking one of the deadliest incidents. Over the years, traders have lost goods worth billions of shillings, prompting numerous calls for a permanent government solution. Investigations into the causes of the fires have rarely been conclusive, fueling speculation among traders of arson linked to land disputes—a claim government officials have sometimes echoed.

Successive administrations, both at the national and county levels, have made promises to rebuild and modernize the market. A previous six-floor building was constructed as part of a multi-billion shilling project to modernize several city markets. However, the fires have persisted, underscoring the need for a more comprehensive intervention. The national government, through the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, allocated KES 259.7 million for the construction of Gikomba Market in its 2024 budget, highlighting the collaborative nature of the project.

Unanswered Questions for Traders

While the unveiling of the new market represents a significant step, critical questions regarding the relocation of over 1,700 traders remain unanswered. As of Wednesday, November 6, 2025, the Nairobi County Government had not released a detailed public plan outlining the criteria and process for allocating the new stalls. It remains unclear whether priority will be given to traders displaced by previous fires, how the allocation will be verified to prevent fraud, and whether traders will be required to pay for the new spaces. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED.

Recent reports from November 5 noted it was “not immediately clear as to whether the traders had been engaged in relocation plans which have recently resulted in friction between City Hall and them.” Attempts to get a comment from leaders of Gikomba traders' associations, such as the Mitumba Consortium Association of Kenya (MCAK), regarding the new facility and the allocation process have so far been unsuccessful. DETAILS UNCONFIRMED.

The lack of a clear, transparent framework for relocation is a significant concern for the thousands of traders whose livelihoods depend on Gikomba. Past experiences with market upgrades in Nairobi have sometimes led to disputes over unfair allocation practices. Governor Sakaja has emphasized his goal is to empower traders, stating, “When we empower them, we empower the heart of Nairobi's economy.” The successful and equitable relocation of traders into the new Gikomba Quarry Road Market Block D will be a critical test of this commitment.