Pain for curio sellers as Westlands shops torn down
The curio market at Westlands was demolished Thursday morning. Traffic has been redirected from Muthithi Road to Woodvale Grove. PHOTO | Agewa Magut | NMG
KURA brought down the iron sheet stalls to pave way for road expansion.
The roads agency issued a notice in 2016 for the demolition citing the redesign of the two roads to reduce traffic congestion on the route.
The iron sheet curio shops near Sarit Centre in Westlands, Nairobi were this morning demolished to pave way for dualling of Ring Road.
The exercise, which was executed under tight security and supervised by the National Construction Authority, was ordered by the Kenya Urbans Roads Authority (KURA).
The roads agency issued a notice in 2016 for the demolition citing redesign of the two roads to reduce congestion on the route.
It also says that the curio sellers were compensated ahead of the demolition that will facilitate the expansion of Lower Kabete and Peponi roads.
“Demolition of curio shops in Westlands to pave way for the expansion of Lower Kabete and Peponi roads started this morning. It’s something that was well planned and traders notified on time to move out their wares ,” said KURA’s chief corporate communications officer John Cheboi in an interview with the Business Daily on Thursday.
Relocation
“The traders have relocated to Westlands main market while others will be operating from City Park market,” he added.
KURA has been warning fruit stalls, food kiosks, furniture outlets, billboard owners, underground cable owners and petrol stations situated on road reserves in urban centers to relocate or face demolition.
The move is aimed at fast-tracking construction and rehabilitation of roads in urban areas across the country.
A curio stall at the Westlands shops in the past. FILE PHOTO | NMG
