Markets of filth: Nairobi County gives hope as garbage piles

The choreographed tunes from the sellers calling out for potential customers can make one think the traders attended the same music school and were taught by same teachers.

A walk to any open air market in the city has some sought of resemblance: open stalls, unorganised lanes, loud music, strong stench and more commonly littered waste that is an eyesore.

The markets are strategically located to attract as many customers as possible. But one thing stands out; heaps of garbage at the corners.

Many city traders know no other place than these open markets where they get their supplies from every morning. Gikomba market, located few kilometres from the heart of the city is one such market.

Trucks with fresh supplies make their way to this market all day long; customers shove shoulders without minding the salty stench of fish that fills their nose. The situation in Gikomba is no different - with filth piling up in every direction.

"It is so sad that the places we buy our food are this filthy, yet we have no choice because with the hard economic times, we have to look for the most affordable places to shop," says Jacinta Njeri, a shopper at Muthurwa market.

Ann Wafula, a fishmonger at Donholm, says the only place she can get fresh fish at good price is at Gikomba, when the trucks are offloading.

"The fish area in Gikomba stinks to high heaven but what choice do I have? I can't find better prices anywhere else," says Ms Wafula.

Joseph Ochieng, a shoe vendor at Muthurwa also agrees that the open stalls makes them lose a lot of money since they have to look for an alternative storage space daily, a venture that is expensive.

However, for some, the county government is doing a good work in cleaning the markets. "The cleaners usually do a good job. They sweep and collect the garbage but the drainage system is problematic to us," says Anne Adhiambo, a trader at Muthurwa.

County Trade Executive Anna Othoro says the traders are to blame for the markets' unhygienic conditions for they fail to collaborate with the cleaners.

cleaning time

"The markets are usually cleaned in the morning and the traders need to keep their areas clean too," says Ms Othoro adding that some markets are always dirty because the traders do not operate within the specified time.

"An example is Muthurwa market, where they should be operating from 5am to 10pm but if you go there by 3am or at midnight, you will still find some traders," she notes.

Othoro also blames the city's surge in population for the poor state of the markets. More traders occupy the markets than was intended and this, says the Trade boss, has led to trading taking place beyond the confines of the markets.

"Kariokor Market, the oldest market in Nairobi, was built in 1906 and was intended for 150 traders. Currently over 400 traders use it from within, plus an unknown number on the outside. The same scenario applies to most markets in the city," she says.

With the planned renovation and relocations, the county will be able to monitor the hygiene standards in the market.

"Once we have renovated the markets, we will bring back the big containers that were used to collect garbage so that even those living near the markets can carry their trash and dump it there. This will help keep the markets clean," said Othoro.

Plans for renovations and building of new markets are underway The architectural part is complete. They will be closed markets, with lanes that are accessible by vehicles and pedestrians even during the rainy season.

"We have plans of renovating Muthurwa market and it will be funded by the World Bank. We also plan to relocate Wakulima market to Kariobangi. This will help decongest the town centre," says Othoro.