Protests broke out in Nairobi’s Ngara area on Wednesday, October 8, after more than 600 traders took to the streets to oppose the demolition of their business premises by Nairobi County officials.

The chaos erupted following a directive from Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration to clear out structures at the Fig Tree Market to allow for planned renovations and modernization of the trading centre.

According to several traders, the demolitions were carried out overnight by unidentified groups believed to have been accompanied by armed police officers.

They claimed the sudden exercise left them counting heavy losses, with goods worth thousands of shillings destroyed.

In response, the furious traders barricaded sections of Limuru Road, setting bonfires and blocking traffic for several hours.

The road, a key link between Nairobi and Kiambu County, was temporarily impassable as police moved in to restore order and disperse the crowds.

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Transport Paralyzed as Police Intervene

Videos captured by Hivileo.co.ke showed agitated traders confronting demolition crews and attempting to prevent the destruction of their stalls.

However, officers stationed at the scene swiftly intervened, dispersing the protestors and ensuring the demolitions continued as planned.

Some traders accused the county government of failing to issue adequate notice before the demolitions, saying they had been caught unprepared.

The Fig Tree Market renovation is among several projects under Governor Sakaja’s urban renewal initiative aimed at reorganizing informal markets and improving infrastructure within the city.

Nairobi County Governor
Johnson Sakaja CityHallNairobi
Photo credit:AJS