Sammy Cheboi
2 November 2008
Nairobi — Government bulldozers continued flattening business premises on a road reserve along Thika highway for the second day on Sunday.
Roy Haullers Limited in Nairobi's Roysambu area of Kasarani became the latest victim of the demolition exercise aimed at paving way for the expansion of the Thika-Nairobi highway that is currently choking with traffic.
Unlike Saturday when the demolitions began at 5am, the exercise started at midday on Sunday to allow business owners and workers to salvage property.
Workers at the Nakumatt Thika Road branch, which was torn down on Saturday, were busy clearing some valuables for the better part of the morning before bulldozers descended on the ruined building in the afternoon.
The management of the chain supermarket plans to meet on Monday to evaluate the total loss.
There was heavy presence of regular and Administration Police officers who kept watch as bulldozers brought down the premises.
The Roads ministry says that more buildings will be flattened in the next few days after their owners defied a three-month notice to demolish them.
And the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) on Sunday called on the government to show concern for those who will lose their jobs as a result of the demolitions.
"We are deeply concerned about the number of workers who risk losing their jobs after the demolitions. We urge the Government to quickly show concern by addressing their plight," COTU secretary general Francis Atwoli said in a statement.
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