The Kisumu County Government, through its City Management, has announced the indefinite closure of Kibuye Market with immediate effect, citing grave public health concerns and a potential outbreak of cholera in the region.
Speaking to the media from his office on Friday, Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga said the market has been declared a public health hazard following a comprehensive assessment by the Department of Public Health.
“We have called you here to inform the general public that as of today, we are initiating immediate public health interventions at Kibuye Market,” Wanga said. “The City of Kisumu wishes to notify all members of the public, traders, and stakeholders that following a detailed health assessment, the market has been found to host multiple public health nuisances that pose a significant risk to the public and threaten to accelerate the spread of cholera.”
According to Wanga, the health department flagged several serious issues at the market, including lack of clean and safe water supply, improper solid waste disposal, unsanitary toilet facilities, open cooking areas, blocked drainage systems, and illegal structures encroaching on access lanes.
“These unsanitary conditions, coupled with the ongoing rainy season, create an ideal environment for the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera,” Wanga said.
The city manager confirmed that the market, which accommodates over 5,000 traders, will remain closed until the County Government implements key interventions. These include restoring clean water supply, revamping waste management systems, rehabilitating sanitation infrastructure, enforcing hygiene standards among food vendors, and clearing obstructed drainage channels.
In the meantime, traders have been advised to temporarily relocate their businesses to alternative markets including Uhuru Business Market, Chichwa Market, Jubilee Market, and Kondele Market. Wanga urged traders to remove perishable goods immediately and warned food hawkers operating across the city to adhere to proper hygiene practices.
The official closure notice takes effect at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2025, with fumigation of the market scheduled for the same day. While the city manager hinted at the possibility of reopening the market by Tuesday, he emphasized that reopening will depend on the successful implementation of all public health directives.
