Kisumu’s largest open-air market, Kibuye, has been shut down indefinitely by the City Management in an effort to prevent a potential cholera outbreak. The decision, which took many traders by surprise, was announced by Kisumu City Manager Mr. Abala Wanga, who cited serious public health concerns as the driving force behind the closure.
In a statement to the press, Mr. Wanga said, “The current state of Kibuye Market poses a grave risk to public health. With the rising cases of cholera in some parts of the city, we cannot afford to take chances. The market’s environment is currently unfit for both traders and customers.”
A Market in Crisis
For years, Kibuye Market has been a vital economic hub—not just for Kisumu, but for the entire western Kenya region. Every week, it draws thousands of traders and customers from across counties, selling everything from fresh produce and clothes to electronics and furniture. However, behind the bustle lies a growing sanitation crisis.
According to health and city officials, the market has struggled with:
Poor solid waste management: Garbage is often left uncollected for days, attracting flies and rodents.
Unsanitary toilets: Many facilities are either broken or overflowing, pushing both traders and customers to relieve themselves in open spaces.
Dysfunctional drainage: Flooded walkways and stagnant water are common, creating ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes and waterborne disease pathogens.
These conditions, the city argues, make Kibuye a ticking time bomb—especially with cholera cases already confirmed in other parts of Kisumu.
Temporary Relocation Sites
To minimize disruption to livelihoods, the city has urged traders to temporarily relocate to alternative trading areas. These include:
Uhuru Business Park
Chichwa
Markets around Kondele
City management says these sites will offer safer and more manageable environments as Kibuye undergoes sanitation upgrades and inspections. It's unclear how long the closure will last, but authorities insist that public health must come first.
Community Reaction
While some residents and public health advocates have welcomed the move, many traders have expressed frustration. For them, Kibuye is not just a place of work—it’s their main source of income. Relocating means adjusting to new spaces, possibly losing loyal customers, and dealing with the uncertainty of when they’ll be allowed to return.
“We understand the risks,” said one vegetable vendor who’s worked at the market for over a decade, “but we also need to feed our families. We hope the county helps us settle in the new areas quickly.”
Looking Ahead
The city says it plans to undertake a thorough cleanup and infrastructure assessment at Kibuye before considering reopening. In the meantime, health officials are ramping up public awareness campaigns to encourage sanitation and early detection of cholera symptoms across Kisumu.
As one of Kenya’s oldest and most iconic markets falls silent, the focus now shifts to balancing public health with economic survival for thousands who depend on Kibuye every day.
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