Tension in Nakuru as county government relocates 28,000 hawkers

Nakuru, Kenya: Tension remains high in Nakuru town as Nakuru county government begins the first phase of relocating 28,000 hawkers who are operating at the town Central Business District in a bid to decongest the town.

The exercise which started on Sunday night and went on until this morning took off amid heavy anti-riot police surveillance who kept vigil, as county askaris demarcated what used to be Nasha Square bus terminus opposite main Nakuru bus termini.

There are fears hawkers resisting the relocation might cause chaos in the new designated space. Hundreds of anti-riot police officers have been deployed in the town.

Fracas erupted at about 10 pm when police engaged hawkers and matatu owners who resisted eviction. Some who had stayed guarding their matatus against the eviction were dispersed by the police using tear gas canisters.

“Where are we going to take our vehicles to? Where will we be selling our merchandise? We need a clear way forward from the governor before we are removed here,” one trader protested before police lobbed tear gas canisters to disperse the protesting hawkers.

Biashara ward Member of the county assembly Stephen Kuria who led the relocation exercise said the county government will not relent until sanity is returned to the town which has been taunted of losing its former sheen.

“Matatus which used to park at Nasha square will be moved to Backstreet near Taidy’s, and Railways station. Today we will relocate 1,000 hawkers. This is a peaceful exercise,” Kuria said.