Many say they were caught off guard and left counting huge financial losses, with some losing stock worth thousands of shillings in a single day.
The demolitions are being carried out by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), which has insisted that the exercise is necessary to clear illegal structures sitting on drainage systems.
According to KeNHA officials, the road expansion and maintenance project cannot move forward without removing the makeshift kiosks and stalls that had been erected along the roadside.
But for the affected traders, the move has been devastating.
They argue that the demolitions came without proper notice, leaving them unable to salvage their merchandise. Many say their livelihoods have been swept away overnight.
One trader, whose small shop was flattened, explained that he had invested all his savings into stocking up ahead of the busy market season.
“Everything I had was destroyed in minutes. I don’t know where to start,” he lamented.
Another vendor said she had taken a loan to boost her business, only to watch it disappear under the bulldozers.
The uncertainty has left families stranded, with many now wondering how they will pay rent, settle school fees, or even put food on the table.
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Some traders accused authorities of ignoring their plight, claiming that the demolitions were carried out in a manner that lacked compassion and consideration for the ordinary mwananchi.
Local leaders have also weighed in, calling for dialogue between KeNHA and the traders.
They argue that while road development is important, it should not come at the cost of pushing people deeper into poverty.
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Civil society groups have echoed these sentiments, urging the government to create relocation plans or offer support to those affected.
