Traders in Githurai 45 along the busy Thika Superhighway are counting heavy losses after the Kenya National Highways Authority KeNHA carried out demolitions of their roadside stalls and structures. The demolitions happened in the early hours of Thursday February 19 2026 as excavators and bulldozers flattened kiosks, wooden stalls and iron sheeted trading sheds that had lined the road reserve for years.
KeNHA stated that the operation was part of a plan to clear the road reserve to make way for designated bus bays and to improve traffic flow. Officials said the move would enhance road safety and reduce congestion along one of Kenya’s busiest transport corridors. A public notice issued earlier in the month had given traders seven days to vacate the area.
Despite the warning many traders say the demolition came too soon and left them without alternative space to continue their businesses. One trader told reporters that she lost goods worth thousands of shillings and now has no place to restart her business. Many others expressed frustration at losing their main source of livelihood overnight.
The demolitions sparked protests and traffic disruption as some traders lit fires and blocked parts of Thika Road in objection to the clearance. Police were deployed to manage the situation and ensure order as traders voiced their grievances over what they described as a harsh and sudden action.
The incident has raised questions about how to balance infrastructure development with the need to protect the livelihoods of small scale traders. Residents and civil society groups have called for more inclusive planning that considers the impact on local communities while carrying out major road projects.