Jubilee deputy party organizing secretary and political strategist Pauline Njoroge has sharply criticised the national government following the overnight demolition of sections of Gikomba Market, describing the action as inhumane, poorly timed and damaging to livelihoods.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Njoroge said the demolitions — which saw enforcement teams flatten stalls in the busy shoe trading area without notice — revealed a disregard for ordinary Kenyans who depend on informal markets for survival.
“Just how inhumane can this administration be? The same one that campaigned on the backs of Mama Mboga, now turns on them without warning,” Njoroge said, referring to traders and small‑scale vendors who form a core constituency of the informal economy.
She questioned the timing of the operation, noting that while public attention was focused on reports of an alleged arrest of the Nairobi governor, traders were “silently being pushed out, their stalls demolished and their livelihoods disrupted.”
“These are hardworking Kenyans who wake up every day to hustle, to feed their families and to keep this city alive,” she said. “Today, they are counting losses, confused and left wondering where to turn.”
Njoroge challenged the justification provided by county and national officials — who have cited riparian restoration and flood risk reduction along the Nairobi River — arguing that the midnight demolitions lacked transparency and consultation with affected traders.
“If this action was justified, why carry it out in the dead of night? Why not do it in broad daylight, openly and in the presence of the public and the media?” she asked, accusing the government of sidestepping accountability.
The Jubilee strategist also raised concerns about the absence of a clear plan for relocation or compensation, saying that traders were left without direction or alternatives.
She called for humane governance that respects dignity and livelihoods, urging authorities to engage with stakeholders and ensure support mechanisms for displaced traders.
“Kenya needs a government that is responsible, humane and respectful. One that puts people and their dignity first,” Njoroge said. “And now more than ever, Nairobi needs a New Deal.”