The county government of Kiambu has refuted claims that they were involved in the demolitions and burning of the market stalls in Ruiru area on Thursday night.
Through a statement sent to the press, the county chief officer Dominic Gicheru said that the county government is not aware of such demolitions. He said that they Kenya National Highway Authority (Kenha) is responsible for the demolitions as they had issued a notice to the traders.
Gicheru said that the authority wrote to the county government last month informing them of the planned demolitions which they told the ward and sub-county administrators to pass to the residents of their areas.
“Earlier last month we received a letter from the authority and we passed the information through ward and sub-county administrators through meetings. We have nothing to do with the situation last night and we hope the other traders will respond before they are attacked too,” he said on Thursday while addressing the press in Thika town.
Among the areas targeted are Ruiru, Thika town, Juja, Kimbo, Githurai, Kimende, Kiambu, Kimende among others which the officer says that they will be next as the authority has already has issued a notice prior to the demolitions.
On Thursday, residents of Ruiru woke up to a sad scene after their stalls together with their stock which include clothes and shoes were brought down into frames.