A late-night demolition exercise on Wednesday, January 14, left a trail of destruction around Nairobi’s Nyayo area as several businesses and properties were pulled down to clear land for a major infrastructure project.
The operation targeted establishments along Douglas Wakiihiru Road, located behind Nyayo National Stadium. Businesses affected included car yards with vehicles inside, a car wash, eateries and other commercial premises, with losses estimated to run into millions of shillings. Some of the properties are reportedly associated with a sitting county governor.
Scenes from the area showed smouldering tyres placed across the road, a sign that affected traders and residents attempted to resist or protest the demolitions during the night.
The clearances are part of preparations for the construction of a new railway station intended to improve connectivity between Nairobi’s Central Business District, the Nyayo area and the proposed Talanta Stadium.
This is not the first time businesses in the vicinity have been brought down to make way for public projects. In 2019, a car bazaar opposite Nyayo Stadium also linked to Governor Wamatangi was demolished. That complex hosted several enterprises, including a restaurant, pharmacy, salon, boutique and cosmetics shop.
The latest demolitions have once again raised concerns among traders over compensation, notice periods and the impact of large-scale public projects on livelihoods.
