Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) demolished roadside stalls and structures in Githurai 45 on February 18, 2026. Excavators arrived at night, flattening businesses along Thika Superhighway.

Traders woke to ruins, counting losses in millions of shillings. Residents earlier clashed with police, hurling stones and burning tyres, which blocked traffic for hours.

KeNHA stated the action cleared space for bus bays and reclaimed road reserves. Traders said they received only seven days’ warning.

Before the demolishions, protests erupted over the lack of relocation options, raising questions about proper procedures. Kenyan law requires specific steps for evictions and demolitions. The 2010 Constitution guarantees the right to adequate housing under Article 43.

In 2009, the government adopted eviction guidelines that demand at least three months’ notice, published in the Gazette and served individually.

Authorities must consult affected people, develop a resettlement plan, and provide compensation or alternatives to avoid homelessness. Forced evictions violate human rights unless exceptional circumstances apply, and even then, officials must follow these rules. States bear responsibility for compensation, regardless of land titles.

Did KeNHA follow these rules in Githurai?

The agency insists it gave notice and acted in public interest for road safety. Yet traders argue the midnight operation ignored promises by President William Ruto.

“My end all unauthorised evictions and property demolitions,” Ruto vowed In 2022.

No clear relocation site emerged, leaving families desperate.

One of the traders, Grace Wanjiru, said the notice came as a shock and left them with no time to prepare.

“We have been here for years. This market feeds our children and pays our rent. They gave us only seven days to leave without even calling us for a meeting. Where are we supposed to go?” she asked.

The traders accused authorities of acting without consultation or compensation.

“If this was really for a bus park, they should have involved us and the county government. Instead, they want to throw us out like criminals at night,” Wanjiru added.

The government failed to provide options, breaching its own guidelines. Kenya has seen similar cases where demolitions ignored alternatives, sparking backlash. In 2020, authorities razed homes in Kariobangi, Nairobi, displacing thousands amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Residents received short notice, and many ended up homeless without compensation. Human rights groups condemned it as a forced eviction.

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights urges countries to halt such actions and ensure consent. However, Kenya also offers examples of proper relocations. In September 2024, Nairobi County relocated traders from Muthurwa and Marikiti markets to the new Kangundo Road Market.

Governor Johnson Sakaja met with traders, who agreed to the move after discussions on stall allocations and transport support.

The county followed a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), assessing impacts and providing compensation. This process minimised disruption, aligning with the Ministry of Housing’s guidelines for market redevelopment. These rules require stakeholder engagement, temporary sites during transition, and final allocation to prevent poverty.

Internationally, best practices emphasise alternatives over demolitions. The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights declares forced evictions “prima facie incompatible” with human rights, allowing them only as a last resort with safeguards.

While KeNHA aimed to improve transport, the execution overlooked human costs. Governments must prioritise consultations and alternatives. Victims deserve assistance, not just destruction.