Tension and uncertainty have gripped traders at Nakuru’s Wakulima Market Gate B, after the County administration asked them to relocate to a section of Mosque Road to allow for the construction of a 200-meter road within the market.

The Sh14.1 million project, meant to address long-standing drainage and poor road conditions, is expected to take 30 days, but many traders say they were neither fully involved in the planning nor adequately prepared for the move.

According to traders interviewed by Mtaa Wangu, the relocation to Mosque Road has been anything but smooth. Mercy*, a trader who spoke under anonymity, said the conditions at the new site were unfavourable and unsafe.

A section of the 200-metre road within Wakulima market expected to be rehabilitated at Sh 14.1 million. Photo taken on July 29,2025.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

“At Mosque Road, we are displaying our goods in front of other people’s shops. The owners don’t want us there. Some of us had moved there yesterday (Monday) but returned to the market after hearing rumours that goons might be sent to disperse us,” she says.

Joyce*, another trader, echoed similar frustrations, questioning the intent of the project. She notes the county should be forthcoming with communication since the gap in communication is what is causing all this panic.

"Some traders think the road is a move to displace them and relocate them to the New market under construction. Some fear being displaced once the road is done. While the project is a good move to be lauded, county needs to communicate to us and also take feedback because this moves affects our source of income. We do not want to see only a section of people involved (market association leaders), while the majority of us are being left out," she laments.

An excavator at Wakulima market sits on the road awaiting rehabilitation on July 29,2025.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

The relocation site itself tells a story of hesitation and confusion. As of July 29 at noon, most businesses along the section of Mosque Road, which on a normal day would be bustling with activity, remained shut.

Typically, this section hosts vibrant home appliance shops, cereal stores, boutiques, and curtain and carpet outlets. But on this day, metallic shutters were down.

A closed off section along Mosque road where some traders from Wakulima Market are to be moved. Photo taken on July 29,2025.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUHTIA/MTAA WANGU

What stood out were chalk markings on the road, used to allocate spaces for the relocated traders. Despite the planning, most of these marked spaces remained unoccupied.

Geoffrey Karimi, chairman of the tomato section at Wakulima Market, offered a more supportive stance toward the relocation. He condemned the politicization of the matter and reminded fellow traders that they had initiated the call for road repairs.

Geoffrey Karimi, chairman of the tomato section at Wakulima Market during an interview with Mtaa Wangu on July 29,2025.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

“Only someone who trades here understands the challenges; mud, a flooded road, and clogged drainage. We lose customers because of it. We asked for this road upgrade. It’s surprising that some of us are now unwilling to make a short-term sacrifice for the long term gain,” Karimi said.

He appealed to shop owners along Mosque Road to be patient: “Let them bear with us for just 30 days. If we could afford to stay home, we would but that’s not possible for most of us.”

Nakuru County Trade Executive Stephen Kuria, on the other hand defended the relocation, stating that proper consultations were conducted with market leaders, traders, and affected shop owners.

Trade CEC Stephen Kuria during an interview with Mtaa Wangu on July 29,2025.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

Kuria notes that all this was done through public participation and questions why some shop owners opposed the move and had even threatened violence.

"We had a security meeting with the Nakuru East Sub-County Commander Samson Adanje who will support us with security during the project. We will deploy both county enforcement officers and police to maintain peace and protect traders and the contractor who categorically noted he needs his security assured before he starts the job,” he says.

Kuria says the county has identified two alternative trading spaces, the Patel Brotherhood Grounds for wholesalers and Mosque Road for retailers, while confirming the number of the affected traders as 500.

Wholesale traders arrange their produce at Patel brotherhood field after being moved from Wakulima market to make way for rehabilitation of the road on July 29,2025.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

“This is the second time the road is being done in less than five years. Last time, the road work was compromised because traders didn’t move. We can’t repeat that mistake,” he remarks when asked why the move is a must, yet previous works have been done without disrupting the traders.

As for the shop owners, a reliable source shares with Mtaa Wangu that together they have moved to court to try and stop the relocation of traders in front of their businesses.

Despite the assurances, many traders from Wakulima market remain skeptical and worried about their livelihoods.

Wakulima market relocation sparks feud between traders and shop owners

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Purity Kinuthia