Rose Wanja aka Wanja Nyarari
The Milimani Magistrates’ Court has dismissed an application filed by a group of Kangemi vendors seeking the release of stalls and merchandise they claimed were unlawfully seized, ruling that the applicants failed to provide credible evidence to support their allegations.
The application, filed under a certificate of urgency by Wycliff Nyamu on behalf of the Kangemi hawkers and Hon. Hamisi Suleiman Maleya—had accused Nairobi businesswoman and community leader Rose Wanja of orchestrating the destruction and confiscation of their stalls on November 23, 2025.
Court: Applicants Failed to Prove Their Case
In its decision, the court found that the vendors did not place before it sufficient material facts to demonstrate that Wanja unlawfully destroyed or detained any property. The magistrate further ruled that the matter did not meet the threshold to be heard in the court’s jurisdiction.
Consequently, the application was dismissed in its entirety, with the hawkers directed to bear the costs of the suit.
The hawkers had earlier alleged that their goods and structures were forcefully removed and transported to the Kangemi Police Station, and were seeking orders compelling their release as well as restraining Wanja from “interfering” with their business operations.
Wanja: “Public Land Belongs to the People’’
Following the ruling, a jubilant Rose Wanja hailed the decision, terming it a win for justice and the rule of law. She accused the applicants of making malicious claims aimed at tarnishing her reputation and frustrating efforts to reclaim public spaces.
Wanja delivered a fiery response, criticizing what she described as attempts to privatize public walkways and bus stops.
“Since when did public walkways become someone’s inheritance? Since when did bus stops start carrying people’s father’s title deeds?” she posed. “You dragged me to court to ‘defend’ government land and walked out paying costs. That wasn’t justice — that was a comedy festival.” She added:
“You cannot own a road, you cannot own a walkway, you cannot privatize a bus stop, and you absolutely cannot bully the people of Kangemi. Public land belongs to the people, not to cartels or political bullies.”
Public Interest and Space Management in Spotlight
The case had drawn significant public interest as it touched on the broader issue of encroachment on public spaces in Nairobi’s informal markets. Kangemi, one of the capital’s bustling trading centers, has long grappled with tensions between traders, local administrators, and residents over the use of walkways, access roads, and public facilities.
The court’s decision is expected to influence ongoing debates about reclaiming and organizing public spaces in the city while balancing the needs of small-scale traders.
As of now, neither the applicants nor their legal representatives have indicated whether they intend to file an appeal.