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.



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.