More than 1,000 traders at Githurai Market are counting heavy losses after their stalls were demolished early Thursday morning to make way for a new bus park. The operation was carried out by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) just a day after traders staged protests against the planned demolition.
Traders say the demolition has left many without a source of livelihood, claiming that the government failed to provide alternative trading spaces despite issuing a prior vacation notice. They accused authorities of pushing them into poverty, noting that their stalls were their only means of survival.
The affected traders also criticised the government for making what they called empty promises to end forced demolitions across the country, saying the latest operation contradicted those assurances.
By the time of going to press, heavy police deployment had been observed in the area amid fears of fresh protests along the busy Thika Superhighway.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua condemned the demolitions, describing the move as inhumane.
“Treating citizens as criminals while they struggle to navigate a mutilated economy is a new low for a government led by elites who are completely disconnected from the realities faced by ordinary people,” Gachagua said.
He added, “It is a stark reminder of how far disconnected they are from the struggles of the common mwananchi, which they have caused through bad leadership and poor policy.”
In a notice dated February 9, 2026, KeNHA explained that the clearance targeted sections of the superhighway encroached upon by roadside traders. The Authority specifically mentioned traders at Roysambu and Githurai, stating that the operation would allow the construction of designated bus bays and ensure orderly passenger pick-ups and drop-offs.
The demolition has sparked outrage among traders and civil society groups, raising concerns about how urban development projects are executed and the need to protect the livelihoods of vulnerable citizens.
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