Traders in Githurai protest KeNHA demolitions amid traffic chaos
By Kenneth Mwenda, February 18, 2026Protesters in Githurai 45 set fire to tyres on the overpass on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, blocking the lane heading into Nairobi.
Commuters faced standstill traffic as smoke rose over the Thika Superhighway.
The protests followed vacation notices issued by KeNHA to traders operating on road reserves in Roysambu and Githurai. Lawrence Opondo, KeNHA’s Senior Inspector of Roads, addressed residents during a public forum on February 12, urging them to leave the areas within the set deadlines.
“The move aims to pave the way for the construction of new bus bays and the expansion of service lanes along the busy route,” Opondo said.
KeNHA described the project as part of broader efforts to reduce traffic jams, improve road safety, and enhance road use along the key corridor. Officials had run a sensitisation campaign in advance, informing communities about the law on road reserves and the risks of encroachment.
Similar demolitions
Similar demolitions occurred along the Machakos-Katumani-Wote highway earlier this week. KeNHA’s Lower Eastern Region team began operations on February 12, tearing down makeshift kiosks, metal stalls, fences, and semi-permanent buildings. Officials said the structures were unlawful and the clearance was needed to build pedestrian walkways.
In a statement, KeNHA said:
“Demolitions began after an earlier public sensitisation programme, during which road users and communities living adjacent to the road were informed of the legal requirements governing road reserves.” The authority stressed that encroachments compromise safety, block upgrades, and put drivers at risk.
Traders along the 70-kilometre Machakos-Wote route reported damages worth tens of thousands of shillings. The highway is a vital link for commuters, matatus, and cargo trucks, but it has faced daily traffic problems for years.
Road reserve disputes have long troubled Kenya’s growing towns. Informal trading provides livelihoods for many, but authorities view it as a barrier to development. KeNHA insists clearing the areas will create safer, more efficient roads. In Roysambu, traders also received notices, and they must vacate to allow service lane expansions.