Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has criticised recent demolition exercises in Nairobi, questioning why authorities are carrying them out at night.

Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Gachagua said the government must apply the law fairly when reclaiming public land. He argued that the manner in which the demolitions are conducted raises concerns about transparency and consistency.

“If the demolitions are genuine, why are they done under the cover of darkness?” he asked.

His remarks follow the overnight demolition of stalls at Uhuru open-air market along Jogoo Road on Sunday night, March 8, 2026. Bulldozers flattened dozens of structures, leaving small traders counting losses the following morning.

Videos circulating on social media showed traders combing through rubble in an attempt to recover goods. The operation came days after the Nairobi City County government issued a 72-hour notice dated March 4 ordering traders to vacate the market.

Gachagua said the demolitions have affected traders in several markets across Nairobi.

“In the first days of March, brutal demolitions took place again targeting traders in different markets,” he said.

“On March 8 again at Uhuru Market, traders were affected. This is destruction. It raises serious questions about fairness and the true motives behind the enforcement exercise.”

He listed Tsunami Market in Starehe Constituency, Nyayo Market, Kamukunji Market, Gikomba Market, and Mowlem among areas where traders are set to face demolition.

The former deputy president said the government must ensure that the law is applied equally to everyone.

“This double standard exposes a troubling pattern where the law appears harsh on the weak and strangely hesitant when it comes to powerful interests,” he said.

“Justice must never operate on the principle of strength versus weakness. The rule of law demands consistency.”

Selective demolitions spark criticism

He questioned why some buildings said to stand on public land remain untouched.

“If it is genuine that public land should be vacated, why is Weston Hotel standing tall on Kenya Civil Aviation Authority land, and why are other properties owned by powerful individuals not touched?” he asked.

Recent demolitions in Nairobi have mainly targeted roadside kiosks and markets built on road reserves.

The Kenya National Highways Authority carried out a similar operation at the Roysambu roundabout on the night of March 4, 2026. Bulldozers pulled down stalls and kiosks that had encroached on land along Thika Superhighway.

The authority said the exercise aimed to reclaim road reserves and create space for bus bays to improve road safety and reduce congestion.

Earlier in February 2026, excavators demolished hundreds of roadside structures in Githurai 45 in another nighttime operation. Traders said they suffered heavy losses after businesses that had operated for years were flattened.

Some traders complained that they received short notices and had no alternative place to relocate.

One trader, Grace Wanjiru, said the demolition came as a shock.

“We have been here for years. This market feeds our children and pays our rent,” she said. “They gave us only seven days to leave without even calling us for a meeting.”

Gachagua said enforcement agencies should follow clear procedures and involve affected traders before carrying out demolitions.

“What is good for the goose must also be good for the gander,” he said. “The law must apply equally to everyone.”