President William Ruto has directed that a title deed for Nairobi’s Gikomba Market be processed within 90 days.
The President said the market is on public land and that issuing a title deed in the name of Nairobi County will settle its ownership status once and for all.
He directed Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome and Principal Secretary Nixon Korir to work with the National Land Commission to issue the deed.
“This will once and for all address speculation by land grabbers,” he said.
President Ruto also announced that phase three of the Gikomba Market will be constructed after the completion of phase two.
He made the remarks during a meeting with Gikomba Market businesspeople at State House Nairobi on Tuesday.
Earlier, the President met chairpersons and committee members of other markets in Nairobi County. Markets represented included Kangundo Road, Wakulima, Muthurwa, Burma, Kangemi, City Park, Othaya (Woodley Jamuhuri), and Kawangware.
The President said the government is working with the Nairobi County Government to address waste and garbage management in the county.
“We are supporting the County Government of Nairobi so that we provide a lasting solution to that challenge,” he said.
President Ruto also said the government will work with the county to improve access to electricity across Nairobi. He asked market leaders to work with the government to curb illegal power connections.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to building 450 modern markets across the country, including in Nairobi County.
In Nairobi, the government is investing Sh7.2 billion in the construction of 15 new modern markets. Eight are under construction, while tenders for seven others have either been awarded or procurement is underway.
The President said the new markets will have adequate water and will be equipped with cold rooms, cyber services, sanitation, and other facilities.
He said the aim is to provide traders with a decent working environment, reduce losses, and increase incomes.
In Starehe Constituency, a Sh350 million market is under construction and is 77 per cent complete. In Kasarani Constituency, the Sh415 million Maji Mazuri Market is 72 per cent complete and will accommodate 1,200 traders.
In Ruaraka, Mathare North Constituency, a Sh177 million market is 93 per cent complete and will serve 305 traders. In Riruta, a Sh313 million market is 36 per cent complete and will accommodate 667 traders.
The Kasarani Wholesale Market, valued at Sh1.7 billion, is 60 per cent complete. At Gikomba, Block D, a Sh729 million market that will accommodate over 1,700 traders is 92 per cent complete.
Construction of the Sh315 million Uhuru Market in Makadara Constituency, with 853 stalls, has just begun.
In Kangemi, a Sh275 million tender for phase one of the market, with 750 stalls, has been awarded. Phase two, also comprising 750 stalls at a cost of Sh275 million, will be advertised in the next several weeks.
President Ruto also said the government has rolled out the Hustler Fund to help traders access affordable credit and reduce reliance on shylocks.
He explained that the Hustler Fund offers affordable credit at 8 per cent a year, unlike market shylocks who charge 10 per cent a day.
He said Sh50 million is borrowed from the Hustler Fund every morning between 3 a.m. and 11 a.m.
He added that 800,000 borrowers are frequent users of the fund, accessing the service once or twice a day. Some customers have graduated and are now borrowing up to Sh150,000.
“Since the launch of Hustler Fund on November 30, 2022, Sh80 billion has been borrowed,” he said.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Woman Rep Esther Passaris, Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi, and MCAs were present.
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