KeNHA Gives Traders 30 Days to Clear Road Reserves
The directive affects parts of Kilifi, Lamu, Kwale, Tana River, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo counties.
KeNHA gives traders and other occupants in seven counties 30 days to clear illegal structures and goods from road reserves by October 29, 2026. Photo: KeNHA.
By Robert Mutasi
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has given traders and other occupants in seven counties 30 days to dismantle illegal structures and remove goods from road reserves.
KeNHA Director General Luka Kimeli signed a notice dated September 29, 2026, giving affected occupants until October 29, 2026, to remove structures, goods and other encroachments from the designated road reserves.
The directive affects parts of Kilifi, Lamu, Kwale, Tana River, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo counties.
The roads targeted include the Likoni-Ukunda-Lunga Lunga road, which serves Kwale and Mombasa, and the Kilifi-Malindi-Garsen-Witu road, which links Kilifi, Tana River and Lamu.
Also affected is the Maili Tisa-Kitalo road, which connects Kenya towards South Sudan, and the Eldoret-Nyaru road linking Uasin Gishu and Baringo counties.
KeNHA warned that structures and goods left on the affected road reserves after the October 29 deadline will be removed without further notice.
The owners will also bear the cost of the removal exercise.
Why KeNHA is clearing the road reserves
According to KeNHA, the clearance is necessary to allow planned service-road improvements, construction of bus bays and rehabilitation of drainage systems along the affected corridors.
The works are part of the authority’s performance-based maintenance and road-safety programme.
KeNHA said the programme is intended to improve road safety and help reduce traffic congestion on the affected highways.
Legal basis for the enforcement
The authority reminded occupants that illegal occupation of road reserves is an offence under the Kenya Roads Act, 2007, and the Traffic Act, Cap 403.
KeNHA said enforcement will be conducted in accordance with the laws governing the protection and management of road reserves.
Affected traders and other occupants have therefore been directed to voluntarily remove their structures and goods before the deadline to avoid having them demolished or cleared at their expense.
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