Teargas, running battles as police clash with Marikiti traders in Nairobi CBD

A standoff ensued Thursday morning after a group of Marikiti traders engaged police in running battles.

This was after the traders barricaded sections of the road leading to Nairobi Central Business District to express their disappointment with a planned move to relocate them to Kangundo Road Market.

The traders burnt tyres on sections of the road blocking traffic to and out of the Nairobi CBD.

The most affected are Jogoo and Haile Sellasie Roads.

By the time of going to the press, no vehicle coming from Jogoo Road direction could access the City centre.

In a notice dated September 10, the acting County Secretary Godfrey Akumali directed Potato, Pineapple, oranges and onion traders to move to the newly opened Kangundo Road market.

This was in a bid to decongest the Central Business District to allow free flow of traffic and to provide parking space.

The changes were to take effect, immediately.

"It has been decided that all onion, pineapple, oranges and Potato traders operating outside and inside the market relocate to Kangundo Road Market where there is spacious trading space and ample parking for business," Akumali directed.