Traders in Kisumu and Vihiga counties were left stranded on Thursday, September 11, after the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) demolished several shops and stalls along the Kisumu-Busia Highway.
Demolitions in Maseno and Luanda
The exercise mainly affected Maseno town in Kisumu County and Luanda in Vihiga County. Bulldozers moved in early in the morning, flattening business premises as police officers guarded the operation.
According to KeNHA, the demolitions were part of plans to expand and rehabilitate the busy highway. The road has faced congestion and poor maintenance, raising concerns among motorists and residents.
Traders Cry Foul
Business owners expressed anger, saying they were not given fresh notices before the demolitions. Many recalled that the last official notice from KeNHA was issued in 2018.
“We woke up to bulldozers at our shops. No one told us about this. We have lost everything,” a Maseno trader said.
Tension rose as some residents tried to stop the demolitions. A brief scuffle erupted with police before calm was restored.
Government Road Plans
The move comes a month after KeNHA announced that a maintenance contractor had been hired to restore the Kisumu-Busia Highway. In a statement on July 24, the Authority promised better services and timely repairs.
“The Authority has onboarded a maintenance contractor for the aforementioned road section who will be instructed on the level of service expected,” KeNHA stated.
What Next for Traders?
While the expansion is expected to ease traffic and boost cross-border trade, many small traders now face an uncertain future. Calls for compensation or alternative trading spaces are growing louder as the project continues.
The Kisumu-Busia Highway is a vital trade link between Kenya and Uganda. Its expansion will improve transport, but for those displaced, the losses are already devastating.
