Traders at Gikomba Market are struggling to settle into new trading spaces after relocation, with many now turning to cheaper alternatives due to rising costs.
The traders say the new stalls allocated by the county government are too expensive, making it hard for small businesses to survive.
Some of them told Business Voice that they are being asked to pay about Ksh5,000 to secure a small stall, plus nearly Ksh1,000 for security. On top of that, there are other routine charges collected during the week.
For many, these costs are simply too high.
“As it is, the government collects a fee every Monday and Thursday,” one trader said, adding that the expenses are eating into their already small profits.
As a result, a number of traders have started moving to nearby areas where rent is lower and conditions are more flexible.
This shift is now creating a new trend around Gikomba, where private landowners are quickly turning open spaces into makeshift markets to meet the rising demand.
Traders say these informal spaces are not only cheaper but also easier to access compared to the official market.
The situation is slowly changing how business is done in the area, with more activity moving outside the planned market.
The relocation followed a move by Nairobi County Government to clear traders from sections of the market sitting on riparian land along the Nairobi River.
In March, a large part of the market was demolished to pave the way for a modern facility.
County officials say the new charges cover services like security, cleaning and electricity.
They have also warned traders against paying money to individuals claiming to own public land or issuing stalls illegally.
At the same time, the county has assured traders that the allocation process will be fair and that genuine business owners will not be pushed out.
But on the ground, Gikomba traders say survival is now the main concern.
With costs going up, many small businesses are being forced to rethink where and how they operate a move that could shape the future of one of Nairobi’s busiest markets.
