Anti-riȯt police fired water cannons to disperse dozens of Marikiti traders who had gathered along Haile Sellasie Avenue and part of Jogoo Road to protest against possible eviction from the Wakulima market by the Nairobi County government.
The irate traders made their way to the streets along the Wakulima market on Thursday, September 12, 2024, as early as 3 am in an attempt to protect their premises following the eviction notice.
The protesters blocked parts of roads leading to the Central Business District (CBD) as they engaged the police in running battles.
Roads affected by the chaos after the protesters blocked it with rocks include Haile Sellasie Avenue, Temple Road, parts of Landhies Road and parts of Ronald Ngala Street.
Notice to evict
In the official letter shared by Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino dated September 10, 2024, the Nairobi county management issued an eviction notice to all small-scale traders operating inside and outside the Wakulima market popularly known as Marikiti to relocate to Kangu’ndo road market with immediate effect.
According to the notice, the management attributed the relocation to decongesting the Nairobi central business district for smooth vehicle traffic and human flow.
“Public notice messages, it has been decided that all onion, pineapple, oranges and potato 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, “part of the relocation notice reads.
“This is to bring to your attention the Nairobi city county government’s decision to decongest the Nairobi central business district for smooth vehicle traffic and human flow. Kindly comply with the notice.”
Sakaja on CBD decongestion
Ever since he got elected into office, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has never shied away from talks about decongesting Kenya’s capital city.
The markets targeted in the decongestion plans by the governor include Mwariro Market, Westlands Market, Karandini Market, Gikomba Market, and the Kangundo Road Market.