Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga on Monday dismissed claims that traders were being evicted from Kibuye Market, emphasizing that the closure is a temporary, vital public health intervention aimed at curbing the spread of cholera.
Wanga, alongside Kaloleni-Shauri Moyo Ward MCA Carren Odhiambo, Director of Public Health Fredrick Oluoch, and officials from Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company (KIWASCO), conducted an inspection of the market following its shutdown last week.
“Nobody is being chased out of the market. We are simply cleaning the market to safeguard the health of our people,” Wanga said during the tour. “Once hygiene standards are restored, traders will return.”
MCA Odhiambo urged traders to exercise patience as city officials work to complete the clean-up and restore basic amenities.
“I want to take this opportunity to welcome the city manager, the KIWASCO managing director, and the health department team. As you know, the market was closed after a cholera outbreak. The place is filthy, and we cannot allow business to continue under such conditions,” said Odhiambo. “We urge traders to remain calm. The process will take about two to three days, and by next week, we expect the market to reopen.”
In the interim, traders have been temporarily relocated to the Uhuru Business Market to facilitate restoration works at Kibuye, including upgrades to sanitation facilities, drainage systems, and utilities.
Director of Public Health Fredrick Oluoch said the decision to close the market followed a spike in cholera cases linked to deteriorating hygiene.
“Cholera cases have been reported from Nyando, Ahero, and now a suspected case from this area. Given that Kibuye supplies food not only to Kisumu but to other parts of the country, urgent action was necessary,” Oluoch said. “There are no water connections for sanitary facilities, no electricity, poor drainage, and no waste management. Without immediate intervention, we would face a serious outbreak.”
KIWASCO’s Thomas Odongo confirmed that assessments of the market’s water and sewer systems are underway to ensure safe conditions before operations resume.
“We are here to assess the water and sewer systems, which are critical for sanitation. We assure traders that before the market fully reopens, all ablution blocks will have running water. Our team will clear sewer lines once structures blocking them are removed,” said Odongo.
Kibuye Market, one of Kenya’s largest open-air trading hubs, was flagged last week by health authorities after serious sanitation lapses were identified, heightening fears of a public health crisis.
Wanga reiterated that the market will only reopen once all hygiene and safety standards are fully met.
