KeNHA: 30-Day Road Reserve Eviction Notice Issued Across Kenya

• The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has issued a 30-day eviction notice for illegal occupants on road reserves along four major highways.
• All roadside traders and structures must be cleared by Thursday, October 29, 2026, or face forced removal at their own cost.
• The directive applies to sections of the Likoni-Ukunda-Lunga Lunga (A7), Kilifi-Malindi-Garsen-Witu (A7), Maili Tisa-Kitale (B14), and Eldoret-Nyaru (B124) roads.
• This action is based on the Kenya Roads Act, 2007, and the Traffic Act, Cap 403, which deem unauthorized occupation an offense.
• The clearance aims to facilitate road improvement works, including new service roads, bus bays, and drainage systems, to enhance safety and ease congestion.

Lawyers should advise clients, particularly businesses and traders operating along the specified Kenyan highways, on the immediate compliance requirements and potential legal ramifications of this notice, including the risk of forced removal and cost recovery.

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has initiated a significant enforcement action, issuing a 30-day ultimatum to individuals and businesses that have encroached upon designated road reserves across several key highways. This KeNHA 30-day road reserve eviction Kenya-wide directive, announced by Director-General Luka Kimeli, mandates that all unauthorized occupants, including roadside traders and those with structures, must clear their belongings and vacate the affected areas by Thursday, October 29, 2026.

This comprehensive Kenya National Highways Authority notice specifically targets sections of the Likoni-Ukunda-Lunga Lunga (A7), Kilifi-Malindi-Garsen-Witu (A7), Maili Tisa-Kitale (B14), and Eldoret-Nyaru (B124) roads. The authority has made it clear that any goods, structures, or other forms of encroachment remaining beyond the stipulated deadline will be removed by KeNHA, with all associated costs to be recovered from the owners. This firm stance underscores the urgency for compliance among all affected parties.

The KeNHA illegal occupants notice is firmly rooted in existing Kenyan legislation, specifically citing the Kenya Roads Act, 2007, and the Traffic Act, Cap 403. Under these statutes, unauthorized occupation of road reserves constitutes an offense. The authority emphasizes that its enforcement actions will strictly adhere to the laws governing the protection and management of these vital public spaces.

Failure to comply with the directive within the 30-day window will result in severe consequences. KeNHA has warned that any property, including structures and goods, found within the specified road reserve sections after the deadline will be removed without any further notification to the owners. The costs incurred during such removal operations will be directly recovered from the individuals or entities responsible for the encroachment, highlighting the financial and legal risks associated with non-compliance. Lawyers should advise clients, particularly businesses and traders operating along the specified Kenyan highways, on the immediate compliance requirements and potential legal ramifications of this notice, including the risk of forced removal and cost recovery.

The primary objective behind this widespread clearance of roadside traders vacate road reserves is to facilitate critical road improvement works. KeNHA plans to undertake the construction and upgrading of essential infrastructure, including service roads, bus bays, and drainage systems along the affected routes. These projects are integral components of ongoing performance-based maintenance and road safety improvement programmes designed to enhance the overall functionality and safety of Kenya's highway network.

Encroachment on road reserves has been identified as a significant contributing factor to traffic congestion and persistent drainage problems, impeding the smooth flow of traffic and posing risks to road users. By clearing these areas, KeNHA aims to ease congestion, improve road visibility, and ultimately enhance safety for motorists, pedestrians, and all other road users. The authority urges all affected occupants to utilize the 30-day period for voluntary clearance, thereby allowing these crucial maintenance, drainage, and road safety works to proceed without disruption. This also presents an opportunity for legal professionals to review land use and property rights for clients whose operations might be impacted by road reserve boundaries.

Lawyers should advise clients, particularly businesses and traders operating along the specified Kenyan highways, on the immediate compliance requirements and potential legal ramifications of the KeNHA 30-day eviction notice, including the risk of forced removal and cost recovery. This also presents an opportunity to review land use and property rights for clients whose operations might be impacted by road reserve boundaries.

Source: Original reporting via KeNHA press release