A political address circulating online has sparked debate after strong criticism was directed at the Kenyan government over alleged targeted demolitions and ethnic profiling of traders from the Mount Kenya region in Nairobi. The speaker in the video claims that businesses owned by members of the Kikuyu, Embu, and Meru communities have been unfairly targeted in recent market demolitions.
According to the address, several small businesses operating in markets such as Riruta and Huruma have been demolished in what the speaker describes as a brutal and selective enforcement of city regulations. The demolitions are portrayed as sudden and insensitive, leaving many traders without a source of income.
The speaker argues that the evictions appear to disproportionately affect traders from the Mount Kenya region. He claims that the actions amount to political persecution and accuses the administration of President William Ruto of allowing discriminatory practices to take place within the capital.
Another major concern raised in the address is what the speaker calls “double standards” in enforcement. While small-scale traders and informal businesses are reportedly being removed from their premises, the speaker alleges that larger establishments linked to powerful individuals remain untouched. According to the claims, this creates the perception that the law is being applied selectively.
The demolitions are also said to be having a significant economic impact on ordinary citizens. Many of the affected traders are described as hardworking individuals struggling to support their families during an already difficult economic period. The address emphasizes that these traders should not be treated as criminals but rather as small business owners trying to survive in challenging circumstances.
The criticism also extends to Johnson Sakaja, who is accused in the address of instructing that contractors from the Kikuyu, Embu, and Meru communities should not be paid for services they had provided to the county government. The allegation, if proven true, would raise serious concerns about fairness and discrimination in county administration.
In conclusion, the speaker calls for the immediate suspension of the demolitions and urges authorities to conduct a transparent and fair review of urban planning and market regulations. The address emphasizes that any enforcement of the law should be applied equally to all citizens, regardless of their ethnic background or political affiliation.
The issue has since triggered conversations about governance, fairness in urban planning, and the protection of small businesses in Nairobi. Observers say that clear communication and transparency from authorities will be essential in addressing the concerns raised and restoring public confidence
