Kenya National Highways Authority officials have demolished hundreds of roadside kiosks and small businesses in the Roysambu and Kasarani areas along the Thika Superhighway, leaving traders counting heavy financial losses.
The overnight demolition exercise affected informal traders operating near the busy highway corridor, many of whom say their shops and kiosks were flattened without prior notice. The affected business owners claim the move has wiped out investments worth millions of shillings and left them without a source of livelihood.
One trader who sold clothes at the location expressed frustration, saying they had not been formally notified before the demolition. According to the trader, many vendors were expecting officials from the Kenya National Highways Authority to issue an official notice to allow them time to relocate or safeguard their goods.
Several traders reported being alerted late at night that demolition had already begun. Some said they were given only minutes to remove their belongings before the bulldozers moved in.
Alex Muturi, one of the affected traders, described the incident as devastating. He said many business owners were asleep when they received calls informing them that demolition teams had arrived. According to Muturi, traders were given roughly 25 minutes to remove their goods before the structures were brought down.
The demolitions come just weeks after a similar government operation in the Githurai 45 area, where authorities indicated plans to construct a parking yard as part of ongoing infrastructure management and road reserve enforcement.
Authorities have previously stated that such operations are aimed at reclaiming road reserves and improving safety along major highways. However, affected traders argue that the abrupt nature of the demolitions has left many families without income and raised concerns about communication between authorities and informal business operators.
The traders are now calling on the government to provide clearer notice periods and consider relocation alternatives for small-scale businesses operating along major road corridors.
