Traders in Mwingi have a reason to smile after the government dropped plans to demolish 60 buildings worth Sh0.5 billion.
Last week Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) marked out all the buildings encroaching on road reserves and gave the owners a 30-days’ notice effective May 26.
The announcement caused the traders a lot for anxiety, with many planning protest marches.
Lukas Mwaniki said thanked KeNHA for being humane, saying had been stressed since his building got the red marks. He depends on his business to maintain his family.
Susan Syombua, another trader, praised the area MP Gideon Mulyungi, saying they are now relieved from the fear of losing their businesses.
“It came to us as a surprise because we were not aware whether there is a highway in Mwingi town but we thank our MP for having a meeting with KeNHA and canceling the demolition”, she said.
Mulyungi arranged a meeting with the highways authority officials and agreed no building will be pulled down.
KeNHA officials were given an alternative route for the road to avoid passing through Mwingi town.
They said they will construct a footpath along the highway which has many kiosks.
“We have agreed that when they are ready to build the footpath we shall talk to the owners of the kiosks so that they can move their kiosks to give way for the footpath”, Mulyungi said.
