Traders at Wakulima Market, popularly known as Marikiti, have received temporary relief after the Milimani High Court suspended their planned eviction. The eviction notice, issued by the Nairobi City County, had demanded that traders relocate to a new market along Kangundo Road. However, High Court Judge Bahati Mwamuye has put a halt to these plans.
“Pending inter partes 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.
The court’s decision came after the Wakulima Market Traders Association filed a case opposing the eviction notice issued on September 10. According to the traders, the county government did not engage them or provide a reason for their relocation. The traders argue that this lack of consultation violates their rights.
“The lack of availing a reason to the petitioners amounts to an infringement of the petitioners’ rights,” the association stated in court papers. The traders further emphasized that stakeholders, including members of the association, were not involved in discussions regarding the notice.
Judge Mwamuye also directed that both the county officials and the traders hold a meeting on Tuesday next week to discuss the issue and seek a resolution. The court expects a report on the outcome of this meeting before the next hearing, scheduled for September 30.
Speaking outside the courthouse, one trader expressed relief, saying, “We were not prepared for this sudden move. This court decision gives us time to seek a better solution.”
