The Nairobi Metropolitan Services has announced that the famous Grogon mechanics will be relocated to a new area along Thika Road. This will be the end of an era for Grogan, in downtown Nairobi, which over the years has been best known for the spare parts and vehicle repair trade.
Grogan covers Kirinyaga Road, Lower Kirinyaga Road and off Lower Kirinyaga Road, stretching across from the Globe Roundabout to Riverside in Ngara. Other than vehicle repairs, Grogon has also spotted other income-generating activities, such as food vending, hawking, car washing and spray painting.
According to a report that appeared in the Daily Nation on Friday, the NMS will relocate the more than 20,000 mechanics from Grogan to a site sandwiched between Utalii College and Mathari Hospital on Thika Road.
“We have a designated place along Thika Road, which we have now acquired. If you go to Utalii you will see an area sealed off. That is the area we intend to move all the mechanics you see in Grogan and Ngara to. We have engaged them and their groups and they are all willing to move into a proper and organised place,” NMS director-general, Maj-Gen Mohamed Badi was quoted as saying. “The biggest problem was acquiring the land but that is now done. After we are done with the construction of bus termini in the next month or so, we will move into the site and intend to complete infrastructural work in the next three months.”
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The move is, however, expected to draw criticism from Grogon mechanics and traders in the area who fear that the relocation will put off clients. Teresia Mwangi, the chairperson of the over 5000-member National Federation of Juakali Artisans (KNFJKA) says that over 10,000 people earn a living in the Grogan area.
