Thika Superhighway becomes unpassable as irate Githurai traders lit tyres to protest KeNHA demolitions
By Mathew Ndungu, February 18, 2026Traders at Githurai Market on Wednesday February 18, 2026 barricaded the busy Thika Superhighway, paralyzing traffic for hours as they protested a planned demolition of their business premises slated for the tonight.
The demolition, according to traders, is being undertaken to pave way for the construction of a bus park by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).
However, the traders claim the move is a cover for a private development scheme that will see their land leased out for commercial projects, including a shopping mall and Airbnb facilities.
At least 1,600 traders are expected to be affected.
One of the traders, Grace Wanjiru, said the notice came as a shock and left them with no time to prepare.
“We have been here for years. This market feeds our children and pays our rent. They gave us only seven days to leave without even calling us for a meeting. Where are we supposed to go?” she asked.
The traders accused authorities of acting without consultation or compensation.
“If this was really for a bus park, they should have involved us and the county government. Instead, they want to throw us out like criminals at night,” Wanjiru added.
In response, Phyllis Wangui, a lawyer seeking the Kiambu County Woman Representative seat, has filed a petition in court seeking to stop the demolition.
In her petition, Wangui states that the applicants are “licensed traders operating at New Jubilee Market within the Githurai area along the Thika Super Highway for a period of over 12 years.”
She argues that the eviction notice was issued without due process.
“Without giving the Petitioners any opportunity to be heard and without any public participation, on 9th February 2026, the 1st Respondent issued a public notice titled: ‘CLEARANCE OF ALL ROAD ENCROACHMENTS’ in which it gave the petitioners seven days to relocate their businesses,” the petition reads in part.
Wangui further claims that the justification given to traders is misleading.
“While the said public notice purported the reason to be to pave way for construction of busways, the Petitioners have reliable information that the 1st Respondent intends to lease the parcel of land where the Petitioners’ businesses are located to the Chamber of Commerce and private business owners to construct a private shopping centre and Air BNB facilities,” the petition states.
The petition also questions the legality of KeNHA’s move, arguing that market operations fall under county governments.
“Market operations are a devolved function which belongs to the County Governments… and the 2nd Respondent has licensed the Petitioners’ businesses and collects taxes from them,” Wangui says.
She added that the threatened demolition violates constitutional rights.
“The threatened action by the 1st Respondent violates the Petitioners’ right to fair administrative action and dignity and is therefore unconstitutional,” read another section of the court papers.
Wangui warned that unless the court intervenes urgently, traders will be rendered destitute.
“The Petitioners and their staff have no other source of income and face destitution courtesy of the high-handed and unexplained actions of the 1st Respondent which reek of malice, bad faith and lawlessness,” the petition added.
Meanwhile, traders vowed to continue resisting the demolition until they are formally engaged.
“We are not refusing development. We are refusing to be chased away like dogs..Let them talk to us and show us proper plans,” James Mwangi, a trader added.
Police were deployed along the highway to restore order as negotiations continued late into the afternoon.
Ends…………/