🇰🇪KenyaEast Africa
Two dead after Gikomba Market block collapses during demolition in Nairobi
via Tuko2 min read
Two people have died after Block B of Gikomba Market in Nairobi collapsed during demolition. Kamukunji Member of Parliament Yusuf Hassan confirmed the tragedy, stating that a group of young people were demolishing the block when it suddenly collapsed, trapping several individuals. Block B had been severely damaged by a fire on Sunday, June 21, which destroyed approximately 90% of its stalls. Rescue operations are underway, with the Kenya Red Cross, Nairobi City County Fire Brigade, and other emergency services at the scene. MP Hassan expressed condolences to the families and the Gikomba community, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by traders and young people in the market. The market has experienced multiple fires over the years, leading to significant damage and business losses.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Tuko.
Must ReadPolice in Nanyuki, Kenya, dispersed residents who had gathered on June 25 to protest the construction of a proposed Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base. The demonstrators were also mourning 17-year-old Sylvester Muigai Ndung'u, a student fatally shot during earlier protests on June 9 over the same project. The facility, intended for US citizens exposed to Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has faced local resistance due to public health concerns and a perceived lack of transparency. Despite the peaceful nature of the gathering, police used force, made arrests, and confiscated protest materials. The project, part of a bilateral agreement between Kenya and the United States, was temporarily halted by the High Court on May 29, but construction reportedly continued. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale was cited for contempt for alleged non-compliance with the stop-work order, later apologizing and directing an immediate cessation of activities. Local leaders, including Laikipia governor Joshua Irungu and senator John Kinyua, have voiced opposition, citing potential exposure risks and lack of consultation. Residents are demanding independent confirmation that construction has permanently ceased.
Kenya has secured a €25 million approximately KSh 3.7 billion commitment from the German government to bolster irrigation development, climate-smart agriculture, and food security initiatives. The funding was agreed upon during Government-to-Government Development Cooperation negotiations in Berlin, led by Principal Secretary for the National Treasury Dr. Chris Kiptoo and Joachim Schmitt, head of division at Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development BMZ. Principal Secretary for Irrigation Ephantus Kimotho advocated for increased support for smallholder irrigation projects. The agreement includes €2 million in grant funding for community engagement and project preparation, and an additional €3 million for transforming food systems and strengthening food security through sustainable agricultural practices. Furthermore, an additional €20 million was committed for the expansion of smallholder irrigation schemes across seven counties, building on the success of the Smallholder Irrigation Programme in the Mount Kenya region, which has completed five projects covering 1,300 acres and benefiting 1,540 farmers. These projects are projected to increase annual earnings from KSh 12.4 million to KSh 45.7 million. The German support aims to enhance farm productivity, strengthen market access, create economic opportunities, improve market linkages, and promote coordinated investment planning between county governments and private-sector players.
Must ReadIndigenous and local communities across Kenya have initiated the "Sajili Ardhi ya Jamii Campaign," a nationwide effort urging the government to accelerate the implementation of the Community Land Act of 2016. This law was intended to secure community ownership rights nearly a decade ago, but organizers state that only 64 out of approximately 1,000 community lands have received title deeds since 2016. The campaign highlights that millions of hectares remain unregistered due to costly and lengthy procedures, leaving many communities vulnerable to land grabbing, displacement, and conflicts. The current registration process can cost up to KSh 20 million, which is unaffordable for many, and is further hampered by paper-based land records. The campaign calls on President William Ruto's government to introduce a more affordable and community-driven registration system, allow communities to lead in identifying and mapping their land boundaries, and implement a nationwide mass registration program. They also advocate for amendments to key laws, including the Adjudication Act, the Survey Act, and the Community Land Act, to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and lower costs. The ultimate goal is to ensure all eligible community lands are registered and issued with title deeds by 2030. The campaign is a collaborative effort involving organizations such as the Drylands Learning and Capacity Building Initiative, Community Land Action Now!, and Namati.