Gikomba Market, located on Pumwani Road in Nairobi City, Kenya, is well known for its wide range of products, including clothing, hardware, groceries, fish, spices, bedding, shoes, and many other items, most of which are second-hand. The market is popular for its affordable prices, often lower than those found in other areas of the city. However, Gikomba is also one of the noisiest and most crowded markets in Nairobi. The environment is often messy, making navigation challenging. The county government could improve the market by investing in better infrastructure, such as cabro-paved walkways and improved lighting, which would enhance both safety and accessibility for shoppers and traders alike.
It was challenging to find a focal and overarching point to write about Gikomba Market and connect it with other images, so I decided to select this one. Earlier in 2024, I visited Merkato in Addis Ababa—guided by two locals—and later explored Kariakoo in Dar es Salaam on my own in February 2025. Each market has its own character. Gikomba, which I visited in September 2025, struck me as the most crowded and chaotic of the three. The level of activity was intense, and navigating through it required extreme caution, especially with bodabodas (motorbikes) weaving through every corner. We passed through the market by car, narrowly avoiding contact with them. My time there was too brief to fully absorb the experience, but I noticed similarities in business models. For example, like Merkato’s teras, Gikomba has designated zones where specific goods—such as metal products—are concentrated.
Gikomba is a local market in Nairobi. You can get all the things which you think you get here. Very big market and especially the biggest market is of timber market. You can get all type of ply, MDF, particle board, door and furniture and hardware things easily.
Add Review
Read More Reviews
Lilfour Reborn
8 months agoGikomba Market, located on Pumwani Road in Nairobi City, Kenya, is well known for its wide range of products, including clothing, hardware, groceries, fish, spices, bedding, shoes, and many other items, most of which are second-hand. The market is popular for its affordable prices, often lower than those found in other areas of the city.
However, Gikomba is also one of the noisiest and most crowded markets in Nairobi. The environment is often messy, making navigation challenging. The county government could improve the market by investing in better infrastructure, such as cabro-paved walkways and improved lighting, which would enhance both safety and accessibility for shoppers and traders alike.
Just Mwangi
6 months agoNever a dull place. After all it's packed most days of the year. But what's the future for this place? Not what it has been that's for sure.
Sigitas Brazinskas
12 months agoIt was challenging to find a focal and overarching point to write about Gikomba Market and connect it with other images, so I decided to select this one. Earlier in 2024, I visited Merkato in Addis Ababa—guided by two locals—and later explored Kariakoo in Dar es Salaam on my own in February 2025. Each market has its own character. Gikomba, which I visited in September 2025, struck me as the most crowded and chaotic of the three. The level of activity was intense, and navigating through it required extreme caution, especially with bodabodas (motorbikes) weaving through every corner. We passed through the market by car, narrowly avoiding contact with them. My time there was too brief to fully absorb the experience, but I noticed similarities in business models. For example, like Merkato’s teras, Gikomba has designated zones where specific goods—such as metal products—are concentrated.
David Muthoni
3 months agoI WENT TO DO SOME SHOPPING I WAS EXCITED BY THE CHANGES THAT HAVE OCCURED...IT WAS A NICE EXPERIENCE TO INTERACT WITH TRADERS...
Yogesh Chokshi
4 months agoGikomba is a local market in Nairobi. You can get all the things which you think you get here. Very big market and especially the biggest market is of timber market. You can get all type of ply, MDF, particle board, door and furniture and hardware things easily.