Night demolitions at Gikomba ignite political firestorm
The 3am evictions were conducted despite a court injunction by Justice Lilian Kimani who issued interim orders halting demolitions in several affected areas, including parts of Gikomba, pending a full hearing
Tension gripped Gikomba Market after an overnight demolition exercise left traders counting losses and reignited political and legal disputes over evictions in the capital.
The operation, carried out today at dawn, Tuesday March 31, 2026 by officials from Nairobi City County Government, targeted sections of the market’s shoe segment.
Structures were brought down under heavy security following the expiry of an earlier eviction notice, with traders waking up to destroyed stalls and scattered goods.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who issued a terse statement on his X handle, formerly Twitter joined local leaders in strongly condemning the exercise, terming it “inhuman and beastly.”
The exercise also unfolds amid ongoing legal proceedings at the Environment and Land Court.
Justice Lilian Kimani recently issued interim orders halting demolitions in several affected areas, including parts of Gikomba, pending a full hearing.
Petitioners argue they are legitimate occupants, some holding allocation rights for decades, and accuse authorities of applying a blanket riparian rule without scientific assessment.
They warn that the evictions disproportionately affect low-income communities and risk mass displacement.
Gachagua accused the government of subjecting citizens to unfair treatment and alleged that the demolition was politically motivated.
Gachagua further claimed that such actions contradicted promises made during the 2022 election campaign, insisting that forced evictions and destruction of property—particularly at night—were never to be part of government policy.
He also linked the incident to his fallout with President William Ruto, alleging he had previously resisted similar directives.
“It is totally unfair for a government to treat its people like we witnessed last night at Gikomba Market, Nairobi. I condemn this inhuman and beastly treatment in the strongest terms possible. Thousands of traders, and other small scale traders have had their properties and items worth millions of shillings destroyed in a night of a cowardly government raid for what covertly is a political scheme,” Gachagua said.
On his part, Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino who is also eying Nairobi governorship post in 2027 also criticised the demolitions, describing them as a betrayal of traders.
He said the exercise had wiped out livelihoods overnight, leaving many without income or recourse.
County officials, however, defended the operation, stating it was part of an ongoing crackdown on structures built on riparian land.
They argued that the affected stalls were located within a protected river reserve and that traders had been given adequate notice to vacate.
The demolitions are linked to a broader directive issued by the Ministry of Interior in May 2024, which ordered the removal of developments encroaching on waterways to mitigate flooding risks.
Authorities say such measures are necessary following recent floods that caused widespread damage and loss of life, particularly in Nairobi.
Governor Johnson Sakaja has maintained that the exercise is part of a sustained effort to reclaim rivers and improve drainage systems.
Speaking during a recent inspection, he said all illegal structures along waterways would be removed without exception, warning residents to vacate voluntarily.
Despite the justification, traders expressed outrage, describing the demolitions as a major economic setback. Many said they had invested heavily in their businesses and were struggling to recover from the sudden losses.
Some acknowledged awareness of the eviction notices but hoped for more time or alternative relocation options.
