Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of allegedly targeting businesses owned by people from the Mount Kenya region following recent demolitions in parts of Nairobi.
Speaking to the press at the DCP Headquarters, Gachagua claimed that demolitions carried out in Roysambu, Githurai, and Uhuru Markets mainly affected traders from the Gikuyu, Embu, and Meru (GEMA) communities.
According to the former DP, the exercise amounts to ethnic profiling, accusing the government of using state agencies to punish entrepreneurs from the region.
“This is persecution of a community. It is ethnic profiling, and it is unacceptable,” Gachagua declared.
Gachagua also criticized the manner in which the demolitions were carried out, questioning why the operations were conducted at night and without prior arrangements for the affected traders.
He further claimed to have received intelligence reports suggesting that more demolitions could take place, mentioning areas such as Tsunami Market, Nyayo Market, Kamukunji, Gikomba, and Mowlem.
The DCP leader questioned the government’s motives, arguing that if the demolitions are truly about reclaiming public land, then the rules should apply equally to everyone.
“If it is genuine that public land and spaces should be vacated, why is the Weston Hotel standing tall on KCAA land?” Gachagua posed.
He also alleged that the President was working with Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to undermine businesses owned by people from the Mount Kenya region.
Gachagua claimed that traders and contractors from the region who have pending payments from Nairobi County have allegedly been denied their dues for years.
“We also have information that Sakaja has ordered that business people and contractors who have rendered services to the county and come from Mount Kenya should not be paid,” he claimed.
The former DP argued that the government’s actions could force GEMA entrepreneurs out of Nairobi, potentially affecting their ability to participate in county politics and economic activities.
He called on the relevant authorities to immediately halt the demolitions and conduct a fair and transparent review of the exercise.
The demolitions come after the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) moved to clear structures in Githurai and Roysambu to pave the way for the construction of modern bus bays.
