Kamukunji Traders Block Streets in Protest as Government Eviction Orders Spark Tension in Nairobi

Business activities in Kamukunji, Nairobi, faced fresh tension on Thursday, October 29, after traders took to the streets to protest eviction orders linked to safety concerns following the Eastleigh building collapse.

Hundreds of traders were seen marching through the streets, carrying placards and twigs while chanting and calling on the authorities to reconsider the decision. Some residents watched the demonstrations from nearby buildings as the protest continued.

According to reports, the traders were protesting the closure of the Kamukunji Business Centre, which was affected by restrictions imposed after a 16-storey building collapsed in Eastleigh earlier in October.

The disaster raised concerns about the safety of buildings near the collapse site. Authorities ordered businesses in the surrounding area to close as they assessed possible structural risks.

The restrictions have affected traders who depend on the business centre for their daily income. Some protesters said they had no other source of livelihood and feared that continued closure would make it difficult to provide food for their families.

One trader appealed to the government to listen to their concerns, saying that if they were required to leave the premises, officials should provide suitable alternatives.

Kamukunji Member of Parliament Yusuf Hassan also appealed to the authorities to consider partially reopening the market to support traders whose businesses have been affected.

However, Nairobi North Regional Commissioner Simon Osumba maintained that the building remained dangerous, suggesting that the safety concerns had not been resolved.

Meanwhile, search and recovery operations continued around the Eastleigh collapse site along 9th Street, where multi-agency teams have been working following the disaster.

The protests highlight the challenge facing authorities as they seek to address building safety concerns while protecting the livelihoods of traders.

The traders are now hoping for a solution that will allow them to resume business without putting their lives at risk. Whether the government will offer alternative trading spaces or reconsider the closure remains to be seen.

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