Jogoo Road Protest Over Forced Removal of Traders from Mbotela Estate
On Sunday, January 19, local traders staged a protest on Jogoo Road following the forced demolition of their business structures near the Mbotela Estate. Spearheaded by mostly women traders, the protest was a response to the destruction of their shops, which has led to significant losses across sectors, including agricultural produce, charcoal, and clothing. At least 14 traders and landowners have been severely impacted, with their livelihoods disrupted. During the protest, the traders lay down on the road, blocking traffic, while local residents gathered around in support of their cause.
The protest stems from an ongoing dispute over land use and ownership rights with a private developer. The traders assert that they have been operating their businesses on the land adjacent to Mbotela Estate since the 1960s. One elderly trader, visibly distraught, condemned the demolitions, saying, "Because we don't have the power, they are forcefully taking [the land] from us." The protestors also allege that the private developer involved intentionally ignored a court order requiring their presence in court on January 30, further aggravating tensions.
The private developer, believed to be behind the demolitions, claims legal ownership of the land, stating that the Nairobi City Council granted them the property rights in 1992. They argue that the traders have been occupying the land illegally and that their team holds the appropriate legal documentation to prove ownership. However, traders and residents contest this claim, asserting their long-term occupancy and the injustice of being displaced without compensation or prior notice.
This protest highlights broader concerns about land dispossession and forced evictions affecting working communities across Africa. Poor and informal workers, like the traders of Mbotela Estate, are increasingly losing their livelihoods as commercial development encroaches on previously occupied spaces. In response, grassroots movements, labor unions, and affected citizens are taking collective action to push back against these forced removals.
The Mbotela Estate traders' protest is one of many examples of communities standing up for their rights in the face of economic marginalization. While the court case looms, the traders remain determined to seek justice and reclaim the land on which they have worked for decades.