Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa has criticised recent evictions and demolitions affecting small-scale traders in parts of Kiambu County, accusing authorities of destroying livelihoods under the guise of development.
In a statement shared on his official X account, Thang’wa claimed traders in Ruiru, Githurai and Thika have woken up to find their stalls flattened and businesses reduced to ashes.
The senator said while the need for roads, markets and order is undisputed, development should not come at the expense of vulnerable citizens.
“Development that destroys the poor is not development. It is oppression,” he said.
Thang’wa accused the government of what he termed a disturbing pattern, alleging that public pledges to empower small traders contrast sharply with forceful evictions and demolitions.
He posed a series of questions to both the national government and the Kiambu County administration, demanding clarity on who authorised the evictions, whether due process was followed and what compensation or relocation plans exist for affected traders.
The senator further argued that displacing small business owners without structured resettlement undermines efforts to support hustlers and micro-enterprises.
His remarks come amid heightened tensions following recent demolitions targeting roadside traders in Kiambu, where some residents have raised concerns over abrupt enforcement operations.
Thang’wa maintained that development must prioritise people and protect livelihoods, warning that actions perceived as punitive could erode public trust in leadership.
