Traders’ Protest Halts Traffic on Jogoo Road Over Uhuru Market Demolition
Traders protested on Jogoo Road against the planned demolition of Uhuru Market, causing severe traffic disruptions and resulting in motorists rerouting. The market has been threatened with demolition due to disputes over land ownership with private developers. A court had previously issued a temporary order halting such actions, yet no official government notice has confirmed the demolition plans.
On March 18, 2023, traders gathered in protest along Nairobi’s Jogoo Road against the anticipated demolition of Uhuru Market. This demonstration resulted in significant traffic disruptions, particularly near the Likoni Road junction, as protesters set tires ablaze, obstructing access to the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD). Motorists were compelled to find alternative routes due to the resulting traffic congestion.
Uhuru Market has experienced ongoing threats of demolition due primarily to disputes surrounding land ownership with private developers asserting claims. In 2021, a court in Nairobi issued a temporary injunction preventing a private developer from assuming control over the market’s land amid these ownership conflicts.
Despite the rising tensions and protests, there has been no official confirmation from the government regarding the demolition plans, leaving traders and local businesses in uncertainty.
The protests along Jogoo Road underscore the traders’ significant concerns regarding the proposed demolition of Uhuru Market, driven by contentious ownership disputes. The ongoing lack of government communication on the matter leaves local stakeholders in a state of unrest and apprehension. Furthermore, the events highlight the implications of land disputes on community livelihoods and urban mobility.
Original Source: www.capitalfm.co.ke
