The stand-off over relocation plans at Nairobi’s Wakulima market took a different twist on Saturday after opposition politicians waded into the matter urging the traders not to move to the new Kangundo Road Market as proposed by City Governor Johnson Sakaja.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, while in the company of other leaders, urged the traders not to subdue to the county government plans promising to stand in solidarity with them.
The Wiper Party leader told off Sakaja maintaining that he will move to court on Monday to oppose the move which he claimed could disrupt the livelihoods of the traders.
“I have directed my lawyers led by Ndegwa Njiru here to file a case on Monday challenging this illegality,” Kalonzo announced.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka addressing traders at Wakulima market in Nairobi on September 14, 2024. Photo/ Kalonzo Musyoka
Former Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu, who was in attendance, urged the traders not to heed the county government’s calls stating that such a move would disrupt their business.
“Do not heed to any plans of relocation where you are being forced to go already has other traders. This is your space,” Waititu insisted.
The traders at Wakulima Market had lamented a rift with those stationed at Kangundo Road market but the county government revealed on Saturday that they had reached an agreement over relocation plans after a consultative meeting.
The traders opposed to the move, however, maintained that Sakaja was being dishonest insisting that no agreement had been reached, noting that they would not move to the new facility.
“When we elected Sakaja, we were selling everywhere and now that he is in, he wants to frustrate us. We will not go anywhere,” Lucia Ndidi, a trader, lamented.
”We are asking why he wants to move hustlers. It should be them relocating their offices to the market,” Peter Munene, a visibly frustrated trader, added.
The standoff at the market began on Thursday, September 12, when the traders took to the streets in the morning, blocking sections of Haile Sellasie Avenue to protest the move.
Police officers were later deployed to calm the unrest. The traders, however, remained unmoved and caused damage to City Council offices located near St Peters Catholic Church, with the council offices going up in flames.
Traders at Wakulima Market in Nairobi when Kalonzo Musyoka toured the market on September 14, 2024. Photo/Kalonzo Musyoka.
