Babu Owino condemns the Gikomba demolition
By Cynthia Lodite, March 31, 2026The Embakasi East Member of Parliament, Babu Owino, has condemned the demolition of parts of Gikomba Market, terming the exercise as a violation of dignity, trust and justice.
Taking to his official X account on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, Babu Owino said that the demolition of Gikomba had unjustly disrupted the livelihoods of the traders.
This comes after shoe traders at the country’s largest open-air market woke up to find their businesses reduced to rubble, with many claiming they had received no prior notice or consultation from authorities.
While condemning the demolitions, the legislator said that the men and women who wake up before dawn toil every day to provide not just for their families but also to keep the local economy alive.
“Today I stood in solidarity with the hardworking traders of Gikomba whose livelihoods have been unjustly disrupted. These are men and women who wake up before dawn, who toil every day to provide for their families and keep our local economy alive. It is a violation of dignity, trust, and justice,” Babu Owino said.
The vocal MP announced his firm grip on ensuring that the traders get justice in what he described as a protection of their rights.
“We cannot build a fair society if the rule of law is ignored, especially at the expense of ordinary citizens. I stand firmly with the Gikomba traders in demanding accountability, respect for court orders, and protection of their rights. Their struggle is our struggle. Their resilience is our inspiration. We will not be silent,” Babu Owino stated.
Karua speaks on the demolitions
On the other hand, the People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has sharply criticised the overnight demolition of stalls at Nairobi’s Gikomba Market, terming the exercise unjust and lacking due process.
Taking to her official X account on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, Karua questioned whether the application of the 60-metre riparian rule is being selectively enforced against informal traders while other developments remain untouched.
“Gikomba traders woke up to find their stalls demolished overnight, with no adequate notice or consultation. Does the sixty-metre riparian rule only apply to Gikomba and informal settlements?” she posed, raising concerns over fairness and equality before the law.
She further challenged authorities to explain how the structures were allowed to exist for decades if they were indeed illegal.
“If these structures stood for years, who issued the permits?” she asked.