Keep politics out of Gikomba demolitions, Kindiki tells opposition

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki. [DPCS]

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has told Gikomba traders to remain patient, saying the government has a plan to relocate them to safer, modern facilities.

Kindiki blamed some leaders for inciting traders to remain in flood- and fire-prone areas.

‘’There are those political opportunists inciting our people to stay in an unsafe, risky place prone to floods and fires. We are urging our traders to be a bit patient and understanding, and allow the government to construct a decent, modern, first-world-status market,” he said.

The DP now said the government is asking about 6,300 traders to allow a few months to complete the new facilities.

His remarks come after opposition leaders visited the  market and criticised recent demolitions aimed at clearing waterways. They accused the national and Nairobi county governments of conducting the demolitions at night and defying court orders.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka said a court had ordered a halt to the demolitions and vowed to return to court.

On Monday night, hundreds of traders were left stranded as bulldozers, under heavy security, demolished structures.

President William Ruto defended the evictions, saying they are part of a multi-billion-shilling modernisation plan.

"The first phase of the project began yesterday. A linear market with a capacity of 5,000 traders at a cost of Sh800 million. Sh3 billion will go into further development, and another Sh5 billion will be spent on the main market," said Ruto.

The president also accused political opponents of politicising the project and dismissed claims that any community was being targeted.