Babu Owino Condemns Overnight Gikomba Demolitions, Vows Support for Traders
Babu Owino addresses traders at Gikomba Market following overnight demolitions, vowing to support affected businesses and call for accountability.
Nairobi, Kenya, 31st — Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino sharply criticised authorities on Tuesday over the overnight demolition of a section of Gikomba Market, saying the action has left hundreds of traders counting heavy losses and without livelihoods.
Speaking to the press and traders at the sprawling second‑hand goods market in morning, Babu said the demolitions were carried out without adequate notice and have inflicted “deep pain and disruption” on ordinary Kenyans who depend on the market for income.
“This is not leadership. It’s betrayal,” Babu told news crews as traders sifted through rubble and damaged stock in what was once a busy shoe‑selling section of the market.
He said thousands of traders woke up today counting losses that run into millions of shillings after bulldozers flattened structures late Monday night.
Babu alleged that the demolitions continued quietly even as people slept, forcing many to watch their businesses and stock destroyed without any meaningful engagement from county officials.
“As all this was happening, demolitions continued quietly. Traders at Gikomba lost their businesses, their stock, and their only source of income overnight,” he said.
Traders near him nodded in agreement, some removing goods from debris in an effort to salvage what they can. Many described the demolition as devastating and said they were given little time to vacate their stalls before heavy machinery began tearing them down.
The Embakasi East MP urged county and national leadership to reconsider the approach, calling instead for transparent dialogue that protects both public interests and the livelihoods of informal traders who make up a large part of the capital’s economy.
Babu also reiterated his intention to push for accountability and support mechanisms to help traders rebuild.County officials have repeatedly defended the operation, saying it is part of efforts to reclaim riparian land and modernise the market to reduce risks such as flooding and fires, which have long affected Gikomba.
However, traders say much of the space cleared exceeds agreed boundaries and have called for clarity on compensation and relocation plans.
Babu called for urgent engagement between authorities and traders to find a lasting solution that safeguards livelihoods while addressing planning concerns, urging leaders to prioritise dialogue and humane enforcement measures to prevent further disruption to small businesses that sustain thousands of families in Nairobi.
