Muturi condemns Gikomba demolitions, calls them cruel and harmful to traders
By Kiprono Keileb, April 2, 2026Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has strongly criticised the government following the demolition of traders’ stalls at Gikomba Market, describing the incident as cruel and deeply harmful to ordinary Kenyans trying to earn a living.
Muturi shared his statement on Thursday, April 2, 2026, through his X account after visiting the scene and meeting affected traders struggling to come to terms with their losses.
Muturi condemned the manner in which the demolitions were carried out, saying the actions reflected poorly on leadership and the treatment of citizens.
“What happened in Gikomba is not governance, it is cruelty, impunity, and a complete betrayal of the Kenyan people. Under the cover of darkness, at an ungodly hour, the government unleashed destruction on small-scale traders, men and women who wake up before dawn, toil honestly, and ask for nothing more than a fair chance to earn a living. Their stalls were not just structures; they were livelihoods, school fees, hope, and dignity. To bring them down in the dead of night is not just insensitive, it is inhumane,” Justin Muturi wrote.
Muturi stated that he stood with other leaders and witnessed firsthand the scale of destruction and the pain among traders in Gikomba Market.
“Today, I stood in solidarity with these hardworking Kenyans at Gikomba Market in Nairobi County, alongside Kalonzo Musyoka, Rigathi Gachagua, Eugene Wamalwa, and other leaders under the United Alternative Government. What we witnessed on the ground is a painful reminder that this administration has turned its back on the very people it swore to protect,” the statement reads.
Muturi further questioned the government’s moral standing, arguing that leadership should protect livelihoods rather than destroy them without warning or dignity.
“A government that destroys livelihoods in the middle of the night, without notice, without dignity, and without humanity, has lost its moral authority to lead. Development cannot and must never be built on the tears of ordinary citizens,” Muturi wrote.
He also sent a message to traders, assuring them that their concerns would not be ignored and promising continued support in seeking justice.
“To the traders of Gikomba: you are not alone. I give you my firm assurance that we will fight for you. We will pursue justice until every act of this impunity is accounted for, and we will push relentlessly to ensure that those who have suffered loss are duly compensated. This must stop, and it will stop.”
Muturi concluded by calling for accountability from those responsible and insisting that citizens deserve respect and fair treatment at all times.
“We demand accountability. We demand justice. And above all, we demand respect for the people of Kenya. This country belongs to its citizens, not to a regime that thrives on intimidation and suffering.” Muturi concluded.