The Central Organization of Hawkers Association Kenya (COHAK) has called for the suspension of the planned opening of Eldoret’s 64 Ultra-Modern Market until its members are involved in identifying and vetting genuine hawkers to occupy stalls at the facility.

COHAK National Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer Gerald Mutakha Habuti said the association had issued a seven-day notice to the Uasin Gishu County Government and would move to the High Court in Eldoret to seek orders stopping the opening of the market if the matter was not resolved.

In a press release dated September 10, 2026, Habuti said the association wanted to submit a list of genuine hawkers for consideration in the stall allocation process, citing a 2011 agreement that provided for its participation in the vetting and identification of genuine hawkers.

The agreement followed a joint meeting held on June 21, 2011, involving the then Ministry of Local Government, the defunct Eldoret Municipal Council and COHAK, which deliberated on practices to be observed in implementing hawkers’ by-laws, including the construction and occupation of a modern hawkers’ market.

The move comes barely a week after the Uasin Gishu County Government issued a public notice inviting applications for stall spaces at the new 64 Ultra-Modern Market, also known as the 64 Iconic Market, alongside four other markets.

The application deadline is Monday, September 14, 2026, with the County Government expected to proceed with the allocation process ahead of the official opening of the facility.

The issue of fair and transparent allocation had already emerged during an engagement forum between the County Department of Trade and traders held on August 25, 2026.

The forum, led by Chief Officer for Trade Elphas Kesio and Director of Trade Nelly Jerotich, focused on preparations for the opening of the market, the stall allocation process, traders’ needs and expectations, and measures to facilitate a smooth transition into the modern facility.

Traders raised concerns and made recommendations on how the market could best serve the business community, with a key issue being the need for a fair, transparent and inclusive stall allocation process.

They urged the County Government to ensure the online allocation process was conducted openly and equitably, giving all eligible traders an equal opportunity to secure space in the new facility.

COHAK has now raised a related concern, insisting that it should be involved in identifying and vetting genuine hawkers before stall allocation is finalised.

Habuti said involving COHAK would help ensure that the process was credible and that traders who had operated as hawkers for years were not disadvantaged by applicants who had only recently entered the informal trading sector.

He called on the County Government to engage the association before proceeding with allocation and opening arrangements, saying dialogue could prevent unnecessary disputes and litigation over the market and protect genuine traders.

The association has also alleged that hawkers in Uasin Gishu have faced challenges in securing representation and claimed that allocation of business spaces in the Central Business District had been affected by political interference, ethnicity and corruption. The allegations have not been independently verified.

The 64 Ultra-Modern Market, located in Eldoret City, has grown from a facility initially intended to accommodate about 800 traders into a larger commercial hub expected to accommodate more than 4,000 traders.

Upon completion and operationalisation, the facility is expected to benefit thousands of traders, suppliers and customers by expanding trading opportunities and supporting economic activity in Eldoret.

The official opening of the market is scheduled for October 20, 2026, during the Mashujaa Day celebrations.

COHAK, however, wants the opening and stall allocation process reviewed before the facility becomes operational, setting the stage for further engagement between the association and the County Government.

by Fredrick Maritim