Chaos in Eastleigh as Armed Gangs Raid Business Complex
Tension has gripped Eastleigh, Nairobi, after a violent raid by armed gangs on a popular business complex. Traders in the area are now counting huge losses after shops were vandalised, looted, and left in ruins, with many owners fearing for their safety and future.
The attack happened late on Friday evening, August 29, and is believed to be connected to a bitter dispute over the ownership of the building.
According to traders, the conflict has been ongoing between tenants and a new landlord, sparking repeated confrontations.
Witnesses say a group of armed goons stormed the complex under the cover of darkness. They smashed windows, vandalised shops, cut off power supply, and destroyed CCTV cameras to prevent evidence from being captured.
The raid went on for hours, leaving behind broken glass, empty shelves, and losses estimated to run into millions of shillings.
The building, which hosts 64 textile shops, has been home to traders for many years. Most of the shop owners say they signed 15-year leases with the previous landlord, and at least six years are still remaining on those agreements.
However, the new owner has reportedly been pushing them out before the leases expire, with plans to demolish the building.
“There has been a serious conflict between us and the new landlord. He wants to bring the building down, but we still have a lease that protects us from eviction or demolition,” one trader explained.
In response to the threats, the tenants moved to court and obtained an injunction barring any forced eviction until the case could be heard and determined. But Friday’s attack appears to have ignored the court process, raising alarm about how property rights and the rule of law are being enforced in Nairobi.
The traders say they called the police for help, but officers arrived too late to stop the destruction. Now, the shop owners are appealing to Nairobi County authorities to intervene and protect their livelihoods.
Police from Ruaraka Station have already confirmed that investigations are ongoing, with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) expected to track down and arrest those behind the raid.
This latest incident has left many business owners in Eastleigh and across Nairobi on edge. Cases of armed goons being hired to evict tenants or take over property are becoming more frequent, fueling fears that the city is sliding into lawlessness.
Traders worry that if such attacks continue unchecked, many businesses will collapse and livelihoods will be destroyed.
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