High Court Rules on Eviction of Traders From Wakulima Market

The High Court has temporarily halted the relocation of a section of traders from Wakulima Market to Kangundo Road Market by Nairobi City County. 

In a ruling on Friday, September 13, Milimani High Court Judge Bahati Mwamuye issued a temporary order suspending the eviction notice issued by Nairobi County to traders.

"Pending inter parties hearing and determination of this application, an order is hereby issued restraining the county from evicting the traders operating within or in the vicinity of Wakulima Market, Nairobi or interfering with their business operations in those areas," the judge ruled.

Justice Mwamuye further directed the traders to hold a meeting with the county officials next week on Tuesday to discuss the matter and report back to the court.

The matter has been scheduled for mention on September 30.

The orders by the High Court come after the Wakulima Market Traders Association filed a case challenging the move by Nairobi City County.

In a notice dated September 10, acting Nairobi County secretary Godfrey Akumali ordered onions, pineapple, oranges, and potato traders at Wakulima Market to relocate to Kangundo Road Market. 

Akumali stated that the move was to ease congestion in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) for smooth flow of traffic.

This led to protests on Thursday morning, September 12, at Wakulima Market as some traders demonstrated against the move.

Later on Thursday, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua called on Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to consider having a meeting with the leadership of the Wakulima Market.