Traders Protest Planned Uhuru Market Demolition, Halting Jogoo Road Traffic
Traders protested the planned demolition of Uhuru Market, causing major traffic disruptions on Jogoo Road. Protests included burning tires to block access, reflecting tensions over the market’s ownership disputes. A 2021 court order temporarily halted a developer’s takeover of the land, but no official demolition notice has been issued.
Traffic along Nairobi’s Jogoo Road was significantly disrupted on March 18 due to protests from traders opposing the impending demolition of Uhuru Market. The protesters ignited tires near the Likoni Road junction, effectively blocking access to the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) and forcing motorists to find alternative routes, which led to extensive traffic congestion.
Uhuru Market has been subjected to frequent threats of demolition, primarily due to ongoing disputes with private developers who assert claims over the land. In 2021, a Nairobi court intervened, issuing a temporary order prohibiting a private developer from seizing control of the market’s property amid disputes regarding its ownership.
Despite the rising tensions and protests from local traders, there has been no official communication from the government confirming the planned demolition of Uhuru Market.
The traders’ protest highlights the ongoing challenges surrounding Uhuru Market, including ownership disputes with private developers. The traders’ actions effectively paralyzed traffic in the surrounding areas, signaling significant local unrest over potential demolition without government confirmation. The situation remains fluid as both traders and legal proceedings continue to develop.
Original Source: www.capitalfm.co.ke
