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‘Ni kama mall’: TikToker gives glimpse of newly built Gikomba Market with neon lights inside
15th August, 2026 01:30 AM
A Kenyan TikToker who uses the handle Mchinku Thrifts has revealed how marvelled he was after returning to Gikomba for his thrifting errands, only to find that the popular market had been upgraded to modern standards, with its interior now resembling that of a contemporary shopping mall.
In a TikTok video on Friday, August 14, 2026, Mchinku, who is known on the video-sharing platform for selling second-hand shoes, is seen arriving at the market and hopping inside as usual to find shoes he could retail to his TikTok fans.
However, he reacted with disbelief after noticing the dramatic change of scenery, revealing an interior with neat finishes and a markedly transformed appearance.
In the first clip he shared, numerous orange neon lights are seen installed at various points around the building, including on the roof, where additional large bulbs had been fitted, giving the market a striking and vibrant appearance.
A stairway leading to the upper compartments is also visible, with more neon lights fitted along its edges, leaving many people marvelling at how extensively the market had been revamped.
People could be seen strolling inside, while some sellers were also seen carefully arranging their shoes on shelves as the revamped market attracted widespread reactions online.
Mchinku then likened the market’s new appearance to the interior of a mall, saying he initially felt as though he had walked into one.
“Gikomba saa hii ni kama mall,” he wrote, adding laughter emojis.
Netizens’ reactions
Kenyans online reacted to Mchinku’s video with mixed reactions, with some welcoming the upgrade and describing it as a positive and long-overdue transformation.
Others, however, questioned whether water sprinklers or other fire-protection systems had been installed to help address the market’s long-standing problem of fire outbreaks.
At the same time, another section of netizens lamented that traders could be required to pay higher fees to access the new stalls, warning that such additional costs could eventually be reflected in the prices of clothes, shoes and other goods sold at the market.
Here are some of the reactions:
@MK Nomad said: “Sioni hata water sprinklers, hii ikiwaka moto itakuwa chini yote.”
@JED said: “Swali tu, how long before kuwake moto?”
@Fay🖤 said: “Mm napenda kukiwa na matope.”
@qwerty_vbn said: “Long-term na si siri.”
@BENSNEAKERS said: “This is not the one being constructed by GOVT.”
@Madmullah said: “Na comments section 😂 Wakenya, mnaweza kweli ku-appreciate wamama wetu na wababa wetu wakipewa place safi, poa na salama ya kuuza vitu zao? Hii hamuioni jamani, mnachuki sana 😂😂. Lakini Gikomba saa hii imepewa dignity na heshima yake. ❤️ Tutam ✌🏾👊🏾 🇰🇪”
@brio said: “Hi sasa ndo inachomwa vizuri. They should put CCTV everywhere.”
@iFearSpeed said: “Sisi tunapenda jua hapa, sasa bei itapanda.”
@Mutonga 🐊🇰🇪 said: “Alafu waanze kulipisha traders, ivo ndio bei inapanda.”
Author
Steve Ireri
Steve is a senior writer with over four years of experience in digital journalism. His focus is on the showbiz and human interest stories. Emails: [email protected] , [email protected]
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