Several shops in Nairobi Central Business District have been closed as police lob teargas at protesters engaging in the March 20 Azimio la Umoja mass action.
Earlier, some traders had opened expecting a peaceful morning but they were caught off guard.
This was the case along Moi Avenue and City Hall way where some hotels and shops were already serving customers but had to close shop.
Police used teargas to disperse some youths who were marching towards the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) building.
"The first teargas was lobbed around Kencom after some protesters pelted stones on police officers," Dan Kimani, a trader along City Hall way said.
"All along everything was quiet and we had opened for customers as usual, for now, there is nothing much we can do," he added.
Some traders who stood outside their shops they are afraid that opportunists could use the chance to loot.
Visibly, supermarkets and money exchange shops were guarded by armed officers.
Judy Akoth a resident of Mombasa who travelled last night to pick up some items in Nairobi was unlucky.
"I was coming to pick some stuff at a shop along Luthuli but I found it closed, I will just wait and see if they will open," she said.
However, in some downtown areas including River-road, some hotels remained operational as usual.
