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Kenya , November 02, 2026 - Business owners in the two busy markets say county officers destroyed or took their goods. They also accuse the officers of harassment, intimidation and arbitrary arrests. The operations have left many small traders without the tools they need to earn a living.
Eastleigh and Gikomba are major trading hubs in Nairobi. They support thousands of families and bring in money for the city. Yet the demolitions have hit these same people hard. Traders say their property was damaged or confiscated during the enforcement work. Activists and political leaders have called for more care in how the county carries out such operations.
Kamukunji Member of Parliament Yusuf Hassan spoke out on Sunday, November 1. He condemned the alleged harassment and asked Nairobi City County to stop the intimidation and arrests at once. Hassan said it is wrong for small-scale traders and hawkers to lose their goods this way. He pointed out that these markets help keep Nairobi’s economy moving and feed many households.
Hassan noted that traders generate revenue that helps pay for county services. He questioned why the same officers who benefit from that revenue would treat the traders poorly. The MP said he supports the need to keep order and enforce rules. But he insisted that any action must be fair, respectful and humane.
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“I support the lawful enforcement of county regulations and the need to maintain order in our city,” Hassan said. “However, enforcement must be fair, respectful and humane.”
He urged the county to talk with traders and their leaders about licences, trading spaces and compliance. Hassan said talking is better than using fear. He also called for action against any officers who unlawfully damaged or took traders’ property. The MP promised to keep pressing authorities so that traders’ rights and livelihoods are protected.
The story shows a clear tension. The county wants orderly markets. The traders need space and safety to earn a living. Without clear notices or fair process, the demolitions risk hurting the very people who keep these markets alive. What happens next will show whether the county chooses dialogue or more force.