A tense standoff unfolded Thursday morning as Marikiti traders clashed with police in running battles. The confrontation erupted after traders blocked roads leading to Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) to protest a proposed relocation to Kagundo Market.
The traders set tyres ablaze, obstructing traffic to and from the city center, with Jogoo and Haile Selassie Roads being the most affected. As of press time, no vehicles from Jogoo Road could access the city center.
Earlier in the day, angry demonstrators, mainly hawkers, flooded the city and blocked Haile Selassie Avenue, rendering Jogoo Road impassable. Tear gas filled the air as police attempted to disperse the protesters. From as early as 3 a.m., traders at Wakulima (Marikiti) Market began burning tyres and blocking Haile Selassie Avenue.
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Ruto and Sakaja had secretly planned to evict Mama Mboga from Wakulima (Marikiti) Market by 4am. The planned leaked and the traders started demonstrating at 3am. The Mama Mbogas have blocked Haile Selassie Avenue and Muthurwa. Police have used all the teargas they had. Inject 💉. pic.twitter.com/VGc0T9hV3Z
— Alinur Mohamed (@AlinurMohamed_) September 12, 2024
Alinur Mohammed, through his X (formerly Twitter) account, confirmed that Jogoo Road and Nairobi CBD were inaccessible via Marikiti. Protests and demonstrations have been ongoing in the country since April.
