Hundreds of traders and developers operating along key roads in Western and Rift Valley regions are facing possible demolitions after the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) issued a 30-day notice ordering them to remove structures built on road reserves.
In a notice released on Wednesday, KeNHA said the directive affects people operating along the Chebarbar-Lessos-Nabkoi road, Mayoni-Bungoma road and the Chepsonoi-Kapsabet road.
The authority warned that all unauthorised structures within the affected road corridors must be removed before June 26 or face demolition.
Among the structures targeted are roadside kiosks, permanent and semi-permanent buildings, billboards, signposts, tree nurseries and other developments put up without approval.
According to KeNHA, some of the structures sit on both old and new road alignments, interfering with road reserve protection and future road works.
“All the operators are directed to remove all the said structures within 30 days from the date of this notice,” KeNHA said.
The agency said the exercise is part of efforts to protect road infrastructure and improve safety along major highways.
Failure to comply with the directive, KeNHA warned, will lead to forced demolitions without any further notice.
Further, the authority revealed that some of those traders and developers found guilty may also have to pay for demolition.
This notice may create a lot of tension to traders who run small roadside businesses for a living.
In most of the roadside trading areas, you find that most of the traders set up businesses such as kiosks, food stalls, timber yards, and others near the road because of the customers.
The notice follows months after the authority warned traders running businesses at certain sections of Thika superhighway in Nairobi and Kiambu counties.
According to the authority, some of the traders had neglected previous notices and were conducting their activities within the restricted areas.
Recently, KeNHA has been aggressively reclaiming road reserves in order to accelerate construction projects.
