Traders in Garissa are up in arms against the county government following the demolition of their stalls at the Orahey open-air market. The destruction occurred late at night, prompting anger and frustration among the business owners, who claim the county acted unfairly and unlawfully. The traders are now threatening to take legal action against the county administration to seek redress for their losses.
The county had issued a three-week notice for traders to relocate to a newly constructed modern market along Posta Road. The notice was part of a plan to decongest the roads and facilitate urban development. However, many traders argue that the allocation of stalls in the new market was riddled with corruption and nepotism, leaving several without spaces or with stalls that are too small to accommodate their businesses.
Abdi Ahmed, who runs a grocery shop at the Orahey market, expressed his dismay at the timing of the demolition. “Honestly, why did they have to wait until we were not around, in the dead of the night, to come and destroy our property? This is unacceptable and cannot go unchallenged,” he said. Ahmed’s sentiments were echoed by Zeinab Hussein, another affected trader, who urged her colleagues to unite and mount a strong legal case against the county government for what she described as illegal and inhuman actions.
On the morning following the demolition, the scene at Orahey market was one of shock and despair. Traders, some in tears, consoled each other as they surveyed the damage. Amina Weirah, who also runs a grocery shop, lamented her losses, estimating the value of destroyed goods at over KSh 600,000. “I was not given a stall at the new market; the allocation exercise was marred by corruption and nepotism. We have been protesting at the municipality offices for the last three weeks, yet there is no help. The worst came today after a bulldozer was brought to vandalize our stalls,” Amina said.
Abdi Hassan, who owns an eatery along the demolished area, shared similar grievances. He noted that his property, including chairs, fridges, utensils, and cooking machines, was destroyed in the exercise. Hassan criticized the county’s decision, arguing that the space allocated to him in the new market was inadequate for his business needs. “How does the county expect me to run my hotel business at the new market? I had requested a spacious stall that would accommodate my business, only to wake up to this destruction,” he said.
Attempts to reach Garissa Municipality CEO Mohamed Osman for comments on the demolition were unsuccessful. However, in a previous interview, Osman refuted claims of unfairness in the allocation process, stating that the new market was designed to accommodate a single trader per stall, with 202 retail stalls and 216 tables. “The Orahey open-air market traders were against the size of the retail and table stalls awarded to them. They needed extra stalls to accommodate their large-scale businesses. This proved to be a challenge since the modern market was designed to accommodate one single trader per stall,” he said.
Osman also addressed allegations of corruption in the allocation process, urging those with evidence to present their cases to his office or the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission’s regional office in Garissa. He emphasized that the new market was meant to provide an orderly and modern trading environment, as part of a broader plan to decongest Posta Road and support urban development.
The market, inaugurated by Garissa Governor Nathif Jama three weeks ago, was expected to offer a modern trading space for the displaced Orahey market traders. However, the ongoing disputes highlight the challenges of urban planning and market relocations, especially when communication and transparency between authorities and traders fall short. As the traders prepare for legal action, the outcome of this conflict will be closely watched by many in Garissa and beyond, as a test of how local governments manage urban transitions and support their business communities.
