The commissioning of the Mathare North Market and the groundbreaking ceremony for the Riruta Market by President William Ruto has provided a significant boost for traders who have long struggled with inadequate working spaces.
The two modern markets, which will accommodate 1,305 traders, are expected to provide well-lit and secure spaces for those dealing in fashion and hair design, fresh produce, food vending, second-hand clothing (mitumba), and jua kali products.
Mathare North Market is 85 percent complete, while the construction of Riruta Market is set to be completed within the stipulated timeline, according to the State Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Economic impact, market features
Speaking at the event, Principal Secretary for Housing and Urban Development, Charles Hinga, emphasized that the markets will offer diverse business opportunities for skilled artisans, traders, and farmers looking for formal avenues to sell their products.
“These modernized markets will allow traders to expand their businesses, integrate value chains, and serve as hubs for on-the-job training for the next generation of workers,” said Hinga.
Mathare North Market will host 305 business slots, including 40 perimeter shops, 102 stalls for fresh produce, and 161 stalls for clothes and other goods.
Meanwhile, Riruta Market will provide vendor spaces for 1,000 traders and feature additional amenities, including a dispensary, storage facilities, administrative offices, food courts, refreshment stalls, and an ICT hub.
Government’s urban transformation agenda
The construction of the two markets aligns with the government’s broader agenda to modernize urban workspaces, ensuring traders operate in clean and structured environments.
“These markets are designed to create decent working conditions for traders while also attracting customers to shop in well-organized spaces,” Hinga added.
The Nairobi County Government will oversee the markets’ operations, including maintaining hygiene standards and collecting revenue from traders.
For traders who have long operated in informal and often unsafe spaces, the new markets signal a move towards structured, sustainable, and profitable business environments in the city.
