Governor Wamatangi orders eviction of traders

The Kiambu County Government, under the leadership of Governor Kimani Wamatangi on Saturday May, 17 issued a 30-day eviction notice to traders operating on a proposed development site.

The directive, released by the Department of Trade and Investments, targets businesses that have set up illegally at the Githurai Phase 2 construction area.

The notice instructs them to vacate the premises to allow for the commencement of the project.

The areas surrounding the Phase 1 gates and the modern market will also be impacted by the eviction.

"Through this official notice, the County Government of Kiambu calls on all individuals and businesses currently occupying the Githurai Phase 2 construction site to vacate the premises," stated the Department of Trade and Investments, County Government of Kiambu.

This includes those conducting business outside the Phase 1 gates and around the modern market without proper authorization, the Department of Trade and Investments added.

The eviction notice is issued in compliance with the Physical and Land Use Planning Act of 2019 and the Public Health Act, Cap 242.

"Unauthorised occupation and erection of temporary or permanent structures on public land designated for development is unlawful and constitutes encroachment on public property," the Department of Trade and Investments states.

As the next phase of development begins, the government will build new facilities to provide a safe and organized space for more licensed traders.

Governor Kimani Wamatangi and his administration have stated that all occupants in the area, whether legal or illegal, must vacate.

"To enable this development, it is essential to clear the construction site and its surrounding areas of all illegal structures and unauthorized occupants," announced the devolved unit, adding that affected traders have thirty days to vacate the area.

"Therefore, the County Government of Kiambu hereby issues a THIRTY (30) DAY EVICTION NOTICE, effective from the date of this notice, to all persons and traders occupying the site and its surroundings illegally."

"All affected parties are required to vacate the premises and remove any structures within this period," explained the Department of Trade and Investments.

Business operators who do not comply will face forcible eviction, and their illegal structures will be demolished.

These actions will be carried out in accordance with the laws governing public land and urban development.

"Failure to comply with this notice will result in forcible eviction and demolition of illegal structures, as permitted under the relevant laws governing public land and urban development," the notice emphasized.