Traders operating in nine corridors in Nairobi's South B estate have three weeks to relocate their businesses.
In a letter, the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura), asked the traders to demolish their business structures and vacate the area within the stipulated period, failure to which the agency will pull down the structures.
Kura listed Kapiti, Aoko, Plainview, Mwangeka, Sorre, Mchumbi, Daidai, Mukenia, and Mariakani roads as the areas affected, asking the occupants to move with speed and pave way for road expansion plans.
According to Kura's Director of Road Asset and Corridor Management, Abdulrashid Mohammed, the traders illegally encroached on the roads and should vacate to pave way for rehabilitation.
“Please take notice that failure to act as directed above will result in the forcible removal of yourselves and the encroaching matter disclosed above at your own cost by the Authority upon the expiry of the stipulated notice period,” the statement read.
Kura cautioned that it would take legal action against traders who refuse to vacate before the notice period lapses adding that sanctions will apply against the traders, agents or anyone acting on their behalf.
Mohammed stated that Section 49 (a) of the Kenya Roads Act forbids all persons from erecting, constructing or laying or establishing any structure or thing on or over or below the surface of a road reserve or creating vehicular or pedestrian obstruction without permission from the Roads Authority.
The Authority further stated that its agents had met the traders several times to urge them to move away from the road since they interfere with its safe usage.
Kura has been planning to pull down structures and homes as they plan to expand roads in the capital but some of the demolitions have met opposition from residents.
In July, residents of the Umoja Settlement Scheme in Thika, moved to court to stop planned demolitions of their houses to pave way for the construction of a Ksh1.8 billion bypass.
The bypass was to connect Thika-Garissa and Nairobi-Nyeri highways through the Delmonte farm.
Justice Lucy Gacheru of the Environment and Land Court suspended the demolitions pending a hearing and determination of a case filed by the residents against Kenya Urban Roads Authority(KURA).
