By Faith Lagat
A Facebook post by Etaya TV claims that the newly opened People’s Liberation Party (PLP) office in the Nyamataro area of Kisii County was demolished during ongoing road reserve enforcement by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).
Etaya TV is a Kisii-based media outlet with a strong presence on Facebook and YouTube, focusing primarily on news and politics in the Gusii region. While the platform regularly reports on regional developments, some of its political posts amplify narratives that can spread rapidly on social media before official clarification is available.
The post suggests that the PLP office was “not spared” in the demolition exercise, leading to speculation on social media that the opposition party had been specifically targeted ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The claim was posted here and here.
Background
The claim traces back to events that unfolded in early July 2026. On Monday, July 6, 2026, People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua officially opened the party’s Kisii branch office in the Nyamataro area of Kitutu Chache South Constituency, marking another step in the party’s nationwide grassroots expansion ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The launch coincided with Saba Saba commemorations, during which Karua reflected on Kenya’s struggle for multiparty democracy and paid tribute to those who lost their lives, were arrested, or assaulted while fighting for constitutional freedoms. She urged Kenyans to protect the gains of the 2010 Constitution, criticised police roadblocks during demonstrations as an infringement on the right to peaceful assembly, and called for peaceful, issue-based politics.
Among her key remarks was an appeal to reject political violence, insults and “goonism,” particularly among young people. She said, “Na vijana wetu waelewe, uhai wao ni wa muhimu kushinda pesa yoyote… Mimi nasema, siasa ifanywe kwa amani. Kura iko mfukoni mwako.” The opening of the Nyamataro office formed part of PLP’s broader strategy to strengthen its grassroots presence across the country ahead of the 2027 polls.
Days later, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) continued an ongoing road reserve enforcement exercise in the area. Under the Kenya Roads Act, 2007, the authority is mandated to protect and preserve public road reserves by removing unauthorised structures, fences, kiosks and other encroachments that obstruct road expansion, maintenance or public safety. Such exercises are routinely carried out across the country after notices are issued to affected property owners and are not unique to Kisii County.
Similar enforcement operations have previously been undertaken along major highways, including the Kisii–Ahero (A1) corridor, where traders, kiosks, fences and other roadside developments have been affected to pave the way for road improvement and expansion projects.
As the exercise reached the vicinity of the newly opened PLP office, social media posts, including one published by Etaya TV, claimed that the party offices had been demolished and suggested that the opposition party had not been spared in the operation.
Verification
Piga Firimbi reviewed:
Martha Karua’s official statement on X dated July 15, 2026. KeNHA’s mandate on protecting and reclaiming road reserves. Available photographs and videos circulating online.
On July 15, 2026, Martha Karua publicly addressed the reports on her X account, clarifying that the claims were inaccurate. She wrote: “The office is intact, only the fence needs to be moved for road expansion @KeNHAKenya.”
The clarification is consistent with KeNHA’s routine road reserve enforcement, which typically targets encroachments such as fences, verandas and temporary structures rather than buildings that are lawfully situated outside the reserve.
No credible media reports, photographs or videos have shown the PLP office building being demolished, with available evidence pointing only to the relocation of the perimeter fence to facilitate the ongoing road works.
Verdict
The claim that KeNHA demolished the People’s Liberation Party office in Nyamataro, Kisii, is MISLEADING.
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