NAIROBI, Kenya Apr 1 – The government has announced that the redevelopment of Gikomba Market into a modern trading hub will be completed within six months, even as traders reel from losses following a recent demolition exercise.Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga said the construction will be undertaken in phases to minimise disruption to business activities, assuring traders that alternative spaces have already been set aside.“It is not possible to relocate more than 200,000 traders at once. That is why we are implementing the project in phases, and no one will lose their livelihood because we have provided alternative areas for trading,” he said.Hinga described Gikomba as a market that has long outgrown its capacity, citing congestion and poor planning as key challenges that have rendered it inefficient.“Despite having access roads, there is hardly any room for vehicles due to the overwhelming pressure. It has become a space that accommodates everyone, but in the process, it has lost functionality,” he noted.According to the PS, the redevelopment was prompted by appeals from traders who sought government intervention to address the deteriorating conditions at the market. He said discussions with the national leadership led to the allocation of Sh5 billion for the project.The planned upgrade aims to transform the sprawling second-hand goods market into a modern facility with improved infrastructure, safer trading spaces, and enhanced amenities.“We are reimagining Gikomba into a dignified and organised market. This is not just about construction, but about creating an environment where traders can operate safely and with pride,” Hinga said.However, the project has sparked controversy following the demolition of structures in the shoe section on the night of March 30, an exercise linked to efforts to reclaim riparian land and pave the way for a riverfront development.By Tuesday morning, traders were left combing through debris, counting losses worth millions of shillings after bulldozers moved in overnight.Some traders accused authorities of exceeding the agreed demolition boundaries, a claim that has also drawn criticism from a section of leaders.For many, the destruction has dealt a heavy blow to livelihoods in a market that has long served as an economic lifeline for thousands.Gikomba, often seen as a place of opportunity where small-scale traders build their businesses from modest beginnings, was instead marked by distress, as affected traders struggled to salvage what remained of their goods.The government, however, maintains that the redevelopment will ultimately deliver a safer, more organised, and inclusive trading environment for all.