- County Secretary Godfrey Akumali said the government will do everything it takes to ensure their business is not interfered with
- Traders held a meeting with Governor Johnson Sakaja on Friday and agreed they will start moving to the new site starting next month
The Nairobi administration has commended the new Kangundo Road market, assuring traders who agreed to relocate from Wakulima market of a smooth transition.
County Secretary Godfrey Akumali said the government will do everything it takes to ensure their business is not interfered with.
"We mean well and cannot allow our people to suffer. This move will ensure that traders have a better space for improved services," Akumali told the Star during an interview on Saturday.
He said the traders held a meeting with Governor Johnson Sakaja on Friday and agreed they will start moving to the new site starting next month.
"We also agreed with the traders that they will be moving gradually," he said.
The county secretary said the move is aimed at decongesting Nairobi's bursting market.
The relocation will also ease traffic on Haile Selassie Avenue and Landhies road, which lead to Nairobi town.
Almost half of the road is taken by traders selling their products to the public, thus causing a snarl up in the CBD.
The Kangundo road market, which was built by Kenya Urban Roads Authority, is located at a strategic area linking Jogoo road, Mombasa road and Thika road.
Most of the products from farmers will therefore be easily accessible.
The county has already deployed security personnel at the new market to ensure safety of the traders is enhanced.
On Friday, the governor held a meeting with traders from Muthurwa and Marikiti markets to resolve the stalemate over the county's decision to relocate them.
Sakaja said the relocation is essential for restoring order in the city .
Following the meeting, the traders dealing in onions, potatoes, oranges, and pineapples agreed to move, despite an earlier protest.
Wakulima Market Chair Paul Maina, who attended the meeting and spoke on behalf of traders, said they resolved to keep law and order.
"We have agreed that all additional vehicles will move to Kangundo market," Maina said.
Wakulima market has a capacity to hold 70 lorries.
Muthurwa and Marikiti markets have become overcrowded, with three times the intended capacity of 1,200 traders.