President William Ruto uploaded a video showcasing a new ultra-modern Gikomba market just hours after overnight demolitions left traders counting losses, leaving netizens talking.

The viral clip seen by TNX Africa opens with demolished sections as new structures take shape.

Ruto says, “We must pay attention to Gikomba market because it is a national market serving a network of traders across Kenya.”

Boniface Muigai, chairman of the Gikomba shoe market, said the government had set up a holding area as construction begins.

“Kuna relocation ya traders in the new market. Not the market per se but the holding area tumepewa na serikali kwa sababu Gikomba inataka kuwa developed,” he said.

#GikombaMarket pic.twitter.com/UzgGWqycOE

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) March 31, 2026

Ruto later addressed a congregation, announcing Sh3 billion for the renovation.

Dressed in a navy blue Kaunda suit, he said, “Nataka niwatangazie, nimewatafutia pesa shilingi Bilioni tatu kuexpand soko ya Gikomba.”

A 3D simulation of the planned market showed him adding, “We are going to build a modern market that you have not seen. Wafanyibiashara wengi walio barabarani tuwatafutie mahali pazuri.”

Businesswoman Salome Wanjiru said she had lost money in past fire outbreaks.

“Kunashindanga kukichomeka. Kama mimi nimeexperience mara mbili. Nimeloose a lot of money and I was unable to be compensated. I thank the government kama itatujengea soko genuinely, niko tu sawa,” she said.

Muigai said traders helped build the holding area, noting that the government gave notice to relocate by March 30.

“In this new market, watakuwa wametupea holding area. Hiyo holding area ndiyo hii tumejenga hivi. The government ilikuwa imetupea the land na hawakuwa wamefactor in hii area kwa budget. Tulichanga kama traders kutengeneza hii shed na tukapewa hadi 30th kama kuna structure yako umejenga huko, ukatoe,” he said.

He confirmed he relocated by Saturday, March 28, and, with other market leaders, would allocate spaces to traders.

“Mimi nilikuwa nimetoa by Saturday and tomorrow we as the leaders we are going to allocate these spaces to our traders. Hii ata mtu ako phase 2, by the time wameambiwa watoke, already wameona phase one tulihamishwa. Tukajengewa soko na tukamaliza,” he said.

The video ended with another AI-generated model of the proposed market, with Ruto stating, “Nairobi hii tutaibadilisha kwa mipango, miradi na maendeleo.”

Social media reactions were mixed.

On X, Jagern Rop wrote, “If you hear the public you would think otherwise, yaani adi deadline ilipeanwa. People want change but it seems they are not willing to change.”

Roy commented, “A flawless execution of Trojan Horse PR with drone footage and 3D renders. If this was truly about the riparian API and environmental safety, your excavators would be formatting the elite concrete malls upstream, not just the wooden stalls of the working poor.”