Hundreds of business owners in Kiambu County are counting losses after their shops and stalls were demolished on Sunday night by unidentified individuals as police provided them with security.
According to the affected traders, they woke up to the shocking sight of their businesses reduced to rubble, with no prior notice or explanation for the demolitions.
''I found them demolishing our buildings and when I inquired to know why they were doing so, they declined to comment and instead moved to the rest of the shops,'' a trader narrated.
They further accused those supervising the demolitions of stealing their belongings during the exercise and threatening them.
Images obtained by Kenyans.co.ke showed widespread destruction, affecting various businesses, including hotels, mobile money outlets, and clothing retail shops.
The incident caught the attention of Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi who visited the scene and condemned those responsible for the demolitions.
This comes amid reports that the exercise may have been authorised by the national government. However, the governor stated that he reached out to the Posta director who assured him that the agency was not behind the demolitions.
Wamatangi also pledged to support the affected traders in rebuilding their businesses, even as concerns arose over how the county government remained unaware of the demolitions.
"When I received the distress call, I contacted the Director of Posta and asked why he had sent people to demolish structures without following due process. I questioned whether it was appropriate for him to authorise such actions that humiliate our citizens," Wamatangi stated.
"He denied any involvement, insisting that those responsible were goons. For that reason, I want to uncover the identity of these goons who are demolishing property while enjoying police protection. We will pursue this matter to the end," he added.
The governor's visit may have been prompted by a similar incident in Wangige Market, where protests erupted after traders clashed with county officials over the construction of a new market in January last year.
During the demonstrations, traders accused the county government of pushing forward the Ksh400 million project without conducting public participation.
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