KeNHA road sign/FILE
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has issued a notice to roadside occupants who have unlawfully encroached on the road reserve along the Ruiru–Githunguri–Uplands (B116) Road, giving them 30 days to vacate the area or face enforcement action.
Those affected include traders and owners of unauthorised structures along the road corridor.
In a public notice issued on Friday, KeNHA directed all affected persons to remove their goods, temporary structures and any other unauthorised developments from the road reserve within 30 days from July 10.
"All affected traders are urged to comply within the stipulated timeframe upon the expiry of this notice on August 10, 2026, to avoid enforcement action in accordance with the relevant laws governing road reserves," the notice by KeNHA Director General Eng. Luka Kimeli states.
The authority said the clearance exercise forms part of its ongoing road safety improvement initiative aimed at reducing accidents, and ensuring the free flow of traffic.
The directive targets all individuals and businesses occupying sections of the road reserve without authorisation, cautioning that failure to comply voluntarily will attract enforcement measures after the expiry of the notice period.
The authority further noted that clearing the road reserve is necessary to facilitate planned infrastructure development along the Ruiru–Githunguri–Uplands corridor while ensuring that the highway remains safe and accessible to all road users.
Road reserves are legally protected public land set aside for the construction, maintenance and expansion of roads and related infrastructure.
Unauthorised developments, roadside vending and other forms of encroachment are prohibited under laws governing public roads.
The notice is expected to affect numerous roadside traders and operators of temporary businesses established along sections of the busy highway, which connects Ruiru, Githunguri and Uplands and serves thousands of motorists and residents daily.
It comes a month after the authority issued a 30-day notice to traders and other occupants operating within the road reserve along the Kamulu–Joska–Malaa–Tala–Kangundo (B63) Road.
In a public notice, the authority directed them to remove their goods and structures ahead of planned road improvement works.
It warned that all illegal roadside occupants, including traders and owners of unauthorised structures, must vacate the affected road reserve within 30 days from the date of the notice.
"Upon the expiry of the 30 days, any structures, goods, or encroachments remaining within the said section of the road reserve shall be removed without further reference to the owners," the notice said.
KeNHA said the directive is intended to pave the way for the implementation of several infrastructure projects along the busy corridor.
