Traders at Muthurwa market in Narok town are up in arms over the reported arrest and mistreatment of their market security guard.
They claim that the guard was assaulted by a policeman after he attempted to block the officer from entering the market at undesignated hours.
The traders barricaded the road leading to the county commissioner’s office, burning tyres as they sought the administrator's attention to express their displeasure at the county security team.
Lawrence Macharia, a trader, said the police officer who instigated the confrontation was not in uniform and did not identify himself, forcing the watchman to attempt to prevent him from entering the market.
Macharia said traders were agitated by how the policeman reportedly mistreated the guard, whom they described as a humble, obedient, and long-serving staff.
Another trader, Joyce Kariuki, alleged that the watchman had asked the police officer, who was in civilian attire, to identify himself after he forced his way into the market gate, which led to a confrontation between the two.
“Oyugi the watchman is a very loyal person. He has served in this market for a long time, and no day has anyone in the market complained about him," he said.
"He was beaten because he did not want the police officer, who was not in uniform, to enter the market during undesignated hours."
A woman who witnessed the commotion and tried to rescue the guard was also reportedly assaulted and taken to Narok County Referral Hospital, where she was admitted.
The guard was arrested and is currently in custody.
The traders demanded the release of their watchman and wanted action to be taken against the police officer.
Attempts by Narok Central DCC Kennedy Mwangome to address the irate mob were futile as they demanded to see their watchman.
The traders reportedly marched to barricade the Narok-Nakuru Highway at the Commissioner’s junction before police used teargas canisters to disperse them.
The DCC said they are investigating Sunday night’s incident, assuring that those found culpable will face the law.
