Nairobi Leaders Condemn Governor Sakaja After Overnight Gikomba Market Demolitions Leave Hundreds of Traders Stranded

Agnes Kagure and Babu Owino slam Governor Sakaja as Gikomba Market traders lose livelihoods in overnight demolitions. Read the latest Nairobi political news.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 31, 2026, 5:23 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from TUKO

Overnight Evictions Spark Outcry in Nairobi’s Largest Open Air Market

The tranquility of Nairobi’s economic heartbeat was shattered on Tuesday, March 31, as hundreds of traders at Gikomba Market discovered their stalls had been partially demolished under the cover of darkness. The sudden move has left a significant portion of the vendor community counting immense financial losses as stock and temporary structures were reduced to rubble. This latest development in the long history of Gikomba's land disputes has reignited a fierce political debate regarding the protection of informal livelihoods within the capital city.

Political Aspirants Challenge the Governor’s Absence

Businesswoman Agnes Kagure, a contender for the 2027 gubernatorial seat, was among the first to voice strong opposition to the administration’s actions. In a public statement, Kagure highlighted the perceived cowardice of the current leadership, noting that while traders were losing their sole source of income, the governor was reportedly evading Senate summons related to corruption concerns. She argued that a city cannot thrive when its primary executive disappears at the very moment the citizenry requires protection and administrative accountability.

Staged Arrest Allegations Surface from Parliamentary Leadership

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has introduced a more strategic allegation, claiming that the recent police presence at City Hall was a carefully scripted distraction. According to the lawmaker, the high profile attempt to arrest Governor Sakaja on Monday night was intentionally designed to capture national headlines while the heavy machinery moved into Gikomba. Owino characterized the drama as a betrayal of the electorate, suggesting that the "disappearance" of the governor was a deliberate tactic to avoid providing answers to the displaced traders.