Traffic was heavily disrupted along Thika Road on Wednesday after protests broke out in Githurai, where residents and traders took to the streets to oppose the planned demolition of structures at the local market.
The demonstrations caused major interruptions to transport along the busy highway, leaving many motorists stranded for hours as tensions rose in the area.
The protests began early in the day when groups of traders and residents gathered to express their anger over the demolition exercise, which was scheduled to take place the same day.
The situation later escalated into running battles between protesters and police officers, as demonstrators lit bonfires and burned tyres along the Thika Superhighway, blocking several lanes and slowing traffic movement in both directions.
Police officers were forced to intervene to disperse the crowds, and witnesses reported hearing gunshots fired into the air as officers attempted to restore order. However, by the time calm began to return, there were no confirmed reports of injuries or deaths.
The demolitions are part of an ongoing operation by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), which says it is reclaiming road reserves and railway land that had been illegally occupied.
According to the authority, the reclaimed land is intended for infrastructure improvements aimed at enhancing safety and improving transport efficiency.
Among the planned developments are the construction of bus bays along the highway to reduce congestion and create safer spaces for both motorists and pedestrians.
Reports indicate that KeNHA had previously issued eviction notices to traders operating in the Githurai and Roysambu areas, directing them to vacate the affected spaces before the demolition date.
However, many traders chose not to comply with the directive, arguing that the process lacked proper consultation and meaningful public participation.
Several traders claimed they were only given seven days to move out, which they said was insufficient time to reorganize their businesses or find alternative locations.
A major issue raised by the affected traders is the absence of a clear relocation plan. Many of those operating in the roadside market depend entirely on their daily sales to support their families.
Without an alternative site to continue their businesses, traders fear the demolitions could leave hundreds of people without income and push many families into financial hardship.
Some traders explained that the market has been their main source of livelihood for years, making the sudden eviction particularly difficult to accept.
The economic impact of the demolitions has also been a central concern among protesters. Traders argued that the exercise would not only affect individuals but also disrupt the local economy, as the market supports suppliers, transport operators, and casual workers who rely on the daily business activities in the area. As a result, many residents joined the demonstrations in solidarity with the traders.
Some protesters went further to allege that political interests could be influencing the demolition exercise. A woman aspiring for a political seat in the area claimed that the eviction was intended to pave the way for a private investor to develop a shopping mall on the disputed land.
She stated that she had already filed a case in court seeking an injunction to halt the demolitions until the matter is fully heard and determined.
Business owners at the market also expressed frustration with the alternative market that had previously been constructed.
One trader said that many sellers could not afford the rent required for stalls in the new facility, while others complained that the stalls were too small to accommodate their goods and customers.
According to him, the new market was already overcrowded, making it difficult for additional traders to operate effectively.
Another trader alleged that after the construction of the new market, unknown individuals took over some of the stalls, preventing genuine local traders from accessing the spaces that were initially meant to benefit them.
She said this had created mistrust among traders and contributed to the resistance against the demolition plans.
By Wednesday afternoon, security officers remained deployed in the area to monitor the situation and prevent further unrest, as discussions between authorities and affected traders were expected to continue. Residents and motorists were advised to use alternative routes as normal traffic flow along Thika Road slowly resumed.
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