Ruto responds to public outcry over Gikomba Market demolition
By Emmanuel Rono, April 1, 2026President William Ruto has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to proceed with the construction and upgrade of Gikomba Market, despite mounting criticism from opposition leaders.
Speaking during the Maendeleo Ya Wanawake meeting at State House, Nairobi on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, Ruto stated that the plan was informed by prior consultations with the market’s leadership, who had requested government intervention to modernise the trading hub.
“I held discussions with Gikomba market leaders, and they asked me to help them upgrade the facility. This is a commitment we must honour,” Ruto said.
His remarks come at a time when opposition figures have faulted the government over the handling of recent developments at the market, including concerns about the welfare of traders and the manner in which changes are being implemented.
Ruto noted that the upgrade was due to the poor state of the market, which led traders to attend their business in gumboots during rainy seasons.
Ruto dismissed claims that the demolitions are politically driven or based on ethnic considerations, warning against attempts to incite division.
“Some individuals are trying to introduce politics and tribal narratives into the issue, but the project is aimed at improving trading conditions for all Kenyans,” Ruto said.
Opposition leaders on demolitions
Speaking to journalists in Wote, Makueni County, the leaders criticised the government’s handling of the operation, accusing President William Ruto’s administration of disregarding the livelihoods of ordinary Kenyans.
“It is totally unfair for a government to treat its people like we witnessed last night at Gikomba Market, Nairobi. I condemn this inhuman and beastly treatment in the strongest terms possible,” Gachagua said.
“Thousands of Traders, and other small-scale traders, have had their properties and items worth millions of Shillings destroyed in a night of a cowardly government raid for what covertly is a political scheme.”
The demolition, carried out on the night of Monday, March 30, flattened structures in the shoe section of Gikomba Market, leaving traders counting losses.
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