Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has criticised recent demolition exercises in Nairobi, questioning the timing and transparency of such operations. Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Gachagua called on the government to apply the law fairly when reclaiming public land, stressing that enforcement should be consistent and visible to maintain public trust.
“If the demolitions are genuine, why are they done under the cover of darkness?” Gachagua asked, highlighting concerns that nighttime operations may disadvantage small traders and raise questions about fairness and accountability.
His comments came in response to the overnight demolition of stalls at Uhuru open-air market along Jogoo Road on Sunday night, March 8, 2026. Bulldozers flattened dozens of structures, leaving many small traders counting their losses the following morning. Gachagua’s remarks underscore growing scrutiny over the government’s approach to land management and urban planning, emphasizing the need for transparency and equitable enforcement in public land reclamation.
