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Abstract

The caselet discusses the history of Gikomba Market, which has been an institution in Nairobi for 70 years. The market occupies prime real estate in Nairobi and is 'home' to thousands of informal traders. However, the market does not reflect the image of a modernising country on the rise that the government of Kenya wants to portray and there appears to be a need to move away from a dominant informal sector to formal enterprises, and informal to formal jobs. A new Gikomba Market is being constructed, which will have space for only about 1000 stalls. The challenge is to find a balance between safeguarding the income of traders, while driving modernisation and progress. The question is whether, and how, that balance will be achieved. The caselet provides an opportunity to think about the pros and cons of formalising the informal sector and the challenges that come with 'progress' of this kind.

Teaching and learning

This item is suitable for postgraduate and executive education courses.

Time period

The events covered by this case took place in 1950s to 2022.

Geographical setting

Region:
Africa
Country:
Kenya
Location:
Gikomba Market, Nairobi

Featured company

Gikomba Market?
Employees:
1
Type:
Self-employed
Industry:
Informal trading

About

Abstract

The caselet discusses the history of Gikomba Market, which has been an institution in Nairobi for 70 years. The market occupies prime real estate in Nairobi and is 'home' to thousands of informal traders. However, the market does not reflect the image of a modernising country on the rise that the government of Kenya wants to portray and there appears to be a need to move away from a dominant informal sector to formal enterprises, and informal to formal jobs. A new Gikomba Market is being constructed, which will have space for only about 1000 stalls. The challenge is to find a balance between safeguarding the income of traders, while driving modernisation and progress. The question is whether, and how, that balance will be achieved. The caselet provides an opportunity to think about the pros and cons of formalising the informal sector and the challenges that come with 'progress' of this kind.

Teaching and learning

This item is suitable for postgraduate and executive education courses.

Settings

Time period

The events covered by this case took place in 1950s to 2022.

Geographical setting

Region:
Africa
Country:
Kenya
Location:
Gikomba Market, Nairobi

Featured company

Gikomba Market?
Employees:
1
Type:
Self-employed
Industry:
Informal trading

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