Clash looms as over 12,000 Githurai traders face eviction by KeNHA

A confrontation looms over the planned expansion of Thika superhighway after over 12,000 informal traders in Githurai area defied notice to vacate by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).

Instead, the highly charged small scale traders operating on the roadside say the KeNHA should come up with an amicable solution rather than evict them from where they earn their livelihoods.

On February 9, 2026, KeNHA had issued a seven-day notice through a newspaper advertisement giving the traders and other squatters 7 days to clear from both sides of the highway in order to give way to construction of five more lanes and new matatu stages to ease traffic flow.

The notice expires on Monday 16, 2026 when those on the site are expected to leave and pave way for expansion works to commence.

However, a meeting called last Friday, February 13, to discuss the matter failed to reach a consensus after the business people accused KeNHA of being insensitive and enforcing unpopular rules without consultation.

In attendance were government security officers, KeNHA officials, Kiambu County government officers and the traders along with their leaders.

Local security bosses had a hard time trying to convince the business people to calm down and give dialogue a chance.

A representative of the roads Authority assured the traders that they will be allowed back after the completion of the expansion project, but they would hear none of it.

“The expansion will include putting an additional 5 lanes and adding picking and dropping bays. This is meant to ensure the safety of both the traders and other road users.,” said Lawrence Opondo, a KeNHA official.

But led by the New Jubilee Market Chairman Stephen Kimani, the business people said they were not consulted before the decision was reached, contrary to the law which requires a public participation process.

Kimani said if the parties fail to come to an agreement on the way forward, then the traders will have no choice but to oppose the proposed development.

“We deserve some respect as business people and stakeholders. As a leader, I saw the notice through the advertisement in the newspapers, noone bothered to inform us,” said Kimani.

Similar sentiments were expressed by other leaders of the group who said previously KeNHA had come up with similar moves and even evicted traders but did not carry out the said developments.

“You security officials are telling us to come to come to an agreement with KeNHA, but we insist it’s you in government who should come up with a solution,” stated Casper Mwangi.

He maintained that Githurai is a roadside town and that it is impossible to eemove traders from the roadside.

A local leader and businessman Sammy Onyango termed KeNHA’s move as unfair as it would affect hundreds of families which depend on the roadside businesses.

Onyango said before such decisions are made, the stakeholders must be consulted in accordance with the Constitution.

However, the parties finally agreed to hold further consultative meetings in order to reach an amicable solution.