Midnight Bulldozers Leave Githurai Traders Counting Losses as Bus Park Plan Sparks Outrage

More than 1,000 traders in Githurai woke up to ruins. Their stalls were gone. Timber and iron sheets lay scattered. Goods were buried in debris. The demolition happened before dawn. By sunrise, livelihoods had vanished.

The operation was carried out by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA). It came just a day after traders protested the planned move. Many had hoped the outcry would buy them time. It did not. The machines rolled in under tight security. Police officers were deployed in large numbers. Tension filled the air along the busy Thika Superhighway.

Officials say the clearance was necessary. The space is earmarked for the construction of a bus park and designated bus bays. According to KeNHA, roadside trading had encroached on the highway reserve. The agency insists the project will improve traffic flow and enhance passenger safety. Order, they argue, must be restored.

But for the traders, the cost is too high.

Many say they received a notice to vacate. However, they claim no alternative trading space was provided. Some had operated there for years. The stalls were their only source of income. School fees, rent, and daily meals depended on that small space by the road. Now, uncertainty looms.

Traders accuse the government of breaking promises. They recall assurances that forced demolitions would end. They feel betrayed. Some described the move as harsh and poorly timed, especially amid a struggling economy. Emotions ran high as affected families counted their losses.

Political voices have also weighed in. Critics have termed the demolition inhumane. They argue that development should not come at the expense of vulnerable citizens. They question why relocation plans were not put in place first.

As dusk fell, heavy police presence remained in the area. Authorities feared fresh protests. Traffic flowed, but tension lingered.

The bigger question now hangs over Githurai. Can development and dignity coexist? For hundreds of traders, that answer will determine their next chapter.