KENHA orders traders at Kihunguro, Allsops and Delview to vacate Thika Superhighway road reserve
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA) has issued a seven-day notice to roadside traders operating along Thika Superhighway at Kihunguro, Allsops, and Delview sections, directing them to remove all structures from the road reserve. This move comes as part of the authority’s ongoing efforts to improve traffic flow, enhance road safety, and prepare the corridor for upcoming construction works.
The directive follows the recent demolition exercise in Githurai, where roadside structures were cleared to ensure smoother traffic and safer commuting for motorists. Like the Githurai operation, KENHA’s notice along Thika Superhighway underscores the government’s commitment to enforcing road reserve regulations and addressing the challenges posed by informal trading along major highways.
Roadside trading along highways has long been a concern for traffic management authorities in Kenya. Unauthorized stalls and kiosks often encroach into road reserves, reducing the width of carriageways, creating congestion, and increasing the risk of accidents. KENHA has emphasized that clearing these areas is crucial not only for facilitating construction and maintenance works but also for improving overall road safety for both pedestrians and motorists.
Motorists using the busy Thika Superhighway, which serves as a critical artery linking Nairobi to key towns in Central Kenya, are expected to benefit from reduced congestion and smoother traffic flow once the area is cleared. KENHA has urged traders to comply with the notice within the stipulated seven-day period to avoid forcible removal of their structures.
This latest directive highlights a broader trend of the government enforcing road safety and urban planning policies in Nairobi and its environs. In recent months, authorities have targeted various sections of major highways where roadside encroachment has caused traffic snarls and posed safety risks. KENHA continues to work closely with county governments, traffic police, and urban planners to ensure that Kenya’s highways remain safe, efficient, and conducive for economic activities.
For roadside traders, the notice serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to legal requirements when setting up businesses along busy transport corridors. The authority has reiterated that road reserves are meant exclusively for road use and related infrastructure, and unauthorized structures not only disrupt traffic but can also hinder emergency services and future highway expansion plans.
As Nairobi’s traffic congestion continues to pose challenges for daily commuters, measures such as these are expected to enhance mobility, reduce travel times, and contribute to long-term infrastructural development along key transport routes. KENHA has confirmed that monitoring teams will be deployed to ensure compliance and maintain order along the cleared sections of Thika Superhighway.