This archive report was first published on 27 June 2020.
On Friday night, bulldozers pulled down houses in the Gorofani area of Gikomba market, leaving many families homeless.
The demolitions, allegedly carried out by recruits from the National Youth Service (NYS) in the cover of darkness, have left traders accusing the government of not giving them adequate notice to vacate.
Traders are also criticizing the government's offer of 10,000 shillings as compensation for the affected traders, saying it is not enough to restart their businesses.
Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho had announced plans to develop an ultra-modern market for traders in Gikomba, with enhanced security features including CCTV cameras and a perimeter wall.
However, the demolition of traders' homes has raised concerns about the government's intentions and the impact on the traders' livelihoods.
