Gikomba Market

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Gikomba market is an open-air market in Nairobi, Kenya. The market includes sellers of a wide range of goods, including food and clothing.[1][2] It is particularly noted for having a large number of secondhand clothing (mitumba) sellers,[3][4] reported to be the most of any market in the country.[5]

History

Gikomba was founded as early as the 1950s. The market was demolished for a first time in the 1970s.[2] On 16 October 1990 the market was bulldozed by the Kenyan government, because of the prevalence of illegal selling.[6]

The market has seen several fires,[2] notably the "Great Gikomba Fire" on 6 September 2000, which burned for eight hours in the used clothing section of the market.[6] In May 2014, two bombs were set off in the market.[7]

In 2014, the Nairobi government reported that around 65,000 people worked in some capacity in the market, and there were an estimated 10,000 different shops.[3] By 2024, the government reported that 100,000 people worked in the market.[2]

On the early morning night of 31 March 2026, Nairobi County authorities demolished part of the market's shoe section following the lapse of a 30 day notice.[8] This was after the 2026 Kenya floods which included flooding of areas near water banks with officials saying the move would reduce the dangers posed by future such disasters.[9] The move was criticized for lack of alternative plans for the merchants.[8][9]

The demolitions will continue as part of a wider plan to rebuild using modern structures.[10] The first phase of the project is projected to last for 4 to 6 months with the entire project costing more than Ksh. 5 billion.[10][11]

References

  1. "Gikomba 'plugs': Young Kenyans make big bucks from mitumba shopping". Nation. 5 March 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  2. Kinyanjui, Maureen (28 June 2024). "The history of Nairobi's Gikomba market and its perennial mysterious fires". The Eastleigh Voice News. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  3. Crowe, Portia (15 October 2014). "The global business of secondhand clothes thrives in Kenya". Reuters.
  4. Mutiti, James Kariuki (2 July 2002). "Gikomba Market Literature: Reflections on the Identity and Aspirations of a Common Entrepreneurial Folk". Fabula. 43 (1–2): 129–138. doi:10.1515/fabl.2002.015.
  5. Kajilwa, Graham. "Tracing the origins of Gikomba market". The Standard. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  6. Robertson, Claire C. (2007). "Whose crime? Arson, class warfare and traders in Nairobi, 1940-2000". Crime, Histoire & Sociétés / Crime, History & Societies. 11 (2): 25–48. doi:10.4000/chs.109. ISSN 1422-0857. JSTOR 42708681.
  7. Dixon, Robyn (16 May 2014). "Ten dead, dozens wounded in Kenya attack as British tourists flee". Los Angeles Times. Johannesburg. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  8. "Gikomba traders count massive losses after overnight demolitions wipe out businesses". YouTube (video). KTN News Kenya. 31 March 2026. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
  9. Otieno, Timon (31 March 2026). "Gikomba shoe market demolished overnight after eviction notice lapses". The Star. Archived from the original on 31 March 2026. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
  10. Kimuyu, Hilary (31 March 2026). "End of Gikomba? State demolishes market for modern look". Daily Nation. Retrieved 2 April 2026.
  11. Ngotho, Agatha (31 March 2026). "6,300 Gikomba traders relocated ahead of market upgrade". The Star. Archived from the original on 31 March 2026. Retrieved 2 April 2026.

1°17′11″S 36°50′29″E / 1.28639°S 36.84139°E / -1.28639; 36.84139