The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has issued a stern directive to roadside traders along the Thika Superhighway, ordering them to vacate their premises within seven days. This move aims to clear the path for critical infrastructure improvements designed to transform one of Kenya’s busiest transport corridors.
In a formal notice, the roads agency specifically identified traders operating at Kihunguro (both bounds), Allsops (both bounds), and the Delview sections. KeNHA instructed these business owners to remove all merchandise and structures from the road reserve within a week of the notice date.
KeNHA Director General Luka Kimeli explained that the agency requires this space to construct designated roadside stations. This project serves a broader strategy to streamline transport operations and address the high rate of accidents on the highway.
“The project is part of the Authority’s ongoing road safety improvement initiatives that seek to reduce accidents, enhance order within the road reserve, and ensure the unobstructed flow of traffic along the highway,” Kimeli stated.
The reclaimed land will undergo a total transformation. Beyond the roadside stations, the Authority plans to build modern bus bays and install advanced safety features for both motorists and pedestrians. By moving public service vehicles into dedicated bays, KeNHA hopes to eliminate the dangerous “weaving” in and out of traffic that currently plagues the superhighway.
However, the agency paired this vision with a firm warning: anyone who fails to comply with the seven-day deadline will face enforcement actions under the laws governing road reserves.
This latest order arrives during a period of significant friction between the government and local communities. On February 18, traffic on Thika Road ground to a halt as residents clashed with police over ongoing demolitions. Protesters near the Githurai overpass set tires ablaze, creating massive gridlocks that lasted for hours.
While traders expressed anger over the loss of their livelihoods, authorities maintained that the clearing of illegally occupied road and railway land remains non-negotiable. KeNHA insists these demolitions are essential to restore public order and ensure that planned multi-million shilling infrastructure projects stay on schedule.