The State Department for Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary Charles Hinga has announced that the government will fully cover all relocation costs for traders affected by the ongoing Gikomba Market redevelopment in Nairobi.
Speaking during a press briefing at Ardhi House on March 31, 2026, Hinga dismissed concerns from traders who claimed they were being charged KSh 5,000 and a monthly rent of KSh 1,500 at newly allocated temporary stalls.
He assured traders that they would not be required to pay any costs out of pocket as the government continues with the relocation exercise under the Nairobi Rivers Regeneration Programme.
“Whatever cost that is concerning your relocation, the government is going to meet it,” Hinga said, addressing concerns raised by traders over affordability.
The announcement follows protests by some traders who argued that the charges at temporary decanting sites were unfair, especially at a time when many have already experienced disruptions to their businesses due to the market relocation process.
The government has already begun relocating more than 6,300 traders to temporary sites to allow construction works at Gikomba Market to proceed.
Officials say the redevelopment project is aimed at addressing long-standing challenges such as flooding, fires, congestion, and poor sanitation in one of Nairobi’s largest informal trading hubs.
The project is part of a broader plan to restore the Nairobi River ecosystem and modernize infrastructure along its riparian corridor.
Hinga noted that while relocation may cause temporary disruptions, the government is committed to ensuring a smooth transition and supporting affected traders throughout the process.
Consultations are ongoing with trader representatives to finalize and verify all related costs, which the government has pledged to settle in full.
The redevelopment is expected to deliver a modern market equipped with improved drainage, sanitation, water and electricity supply, structured trading spaces, cold storage facilities, childcare areas, and better access routes.
Officials say the first phase will take four to six months, with full completion expected within a year, after which traders will gradually return to the upgraded facility.
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