The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has launched a fresh crackdown on illegal occupation of road reserves, giving traders and other unauthorised occupants along the Ruiru–Githunguri–Uplands (B116) Road one month to clear the affected areas or face eviction after the notice expires.
The directive, issued through a public notice on Friday, affects roadside traders, owners of temporary structures and anyone occupying the road reserve without approval.
KeNHA instructed all those affected to remove their merchandise, temporary buildings and any other unauthorised developments 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.
According to the authority, the exercise is part of ongoing efforts to make the highway safer by reducing accidents and improving the movement of traffic along the busy corridor.
KeNHA said the notice applies to every individual and business operating illegally within the road reserve, warning that enforcement measures will be taken against anyone who fails to vacate before the deadline.
The authority also said reclaiming the road reserve will create room for planned infrastructure projects along the Ruiru–Githunguri–Uplands route while ensuring the road remains safe and accessible to all users.
Road reserves are public land protected by law and reserved for the construction, maintenance and future expansion of roads and related infrastructure. As a result, unauthorised structures, roadside trading and any other encroachment are not permitted.
The notice is expected to affect many traders and operators of temporary businesses along the highway, which links Ruiru, Githunguri and Uplands and is used daily by thousands of residents and motorists.
The latest notice comes barely a month after KeNHA issued a similar 30-day ultimatum to traders and other occupants operating within the road reserve along the Kamulu–Joska–Malaa–Tala–Kangundo (B63) Road.
In that notice, the authority directed those affected 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, had to 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 exercise is intended to allow the implementation of planned infrastructure projects along the busy road corridor.