Nairobi county completed the demolition of illegal structures at Mutindwa market on Tuesday afternon.
Officials of the inspectorate department oversaw the destruction of the structures that stood on road reserves, less than three metres from the railway.
City Hall Director of Operations Peter Mbaya pointed out that the traders’ lives had been at risk due to their nearness to the railway.
“Maize sellers operated on the line and only moved after hearing hooting. That is very risky,” he told the Star on Wednesday.
The first phase of demolitions took place on July 19 when structures along the perimeter wall of Bidii Primary School were also torn down.
Mbaya said that after this round, traders were asked to leave by August 1.
Some were seen collecting the pieces of wood that formed parts of their structures.
“We knew they were coming but decided to carry on with our businesses until,” said businessman Kenneth Ngugi.
“It is painful to see what you once called a business place torn to pieces of wood. Where will I start?”
Read: Mutindwa market: Askaris demolish stalls near Bidii Primary School in war on crime
Some of the structures were destroyed earlier this year for the expansion of Outering Road but the traders crept back and put up others.
City Hall says that demolitions taking place across the country will ensure law and order, and improve security. The county is pulling down property on road reserves, outside learning institutions or on riparian land.
Earlier today, former Bobasi MP Stephen Manoti’s Sh1 billion South End mall was demolished as it stood on riparian land.
NEMA officials descended on the mall in a crackdown that is part of the Nairobi regeneration project.
