Chaos as police clash with traders at Marikiti

An aerial view of Marikiti market where traders held protests against a proposal to relocate them to Kangundo Road Market on September 12, 2024. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard]

Chaos ensued at Marikiti market in Nairobi on Thursday morning as police engaged a group of protesting traders in running battles.

The protests began yesterday night resulting in a standoff after the agitated traders barricaded Haile Selassie Avenue, disrupting traffic.

Nairobi County officers pitch camp near Marikiti market where traders demonstrated against a proposal to relocate them. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard]

Traders who spoke to The Standard said they oppose the alleged efforts to relocate them to the Kangundo Road market.

"We woke up to find Marikiti market gates under lock and key, and the police guarded the area. We don't want to be moved. We are asking the government to reconsider the decision because this is where we fend for a living," Joyce Wangari, a trader at Marikiti told The Standard.

Nairobi’s marikiti market or ‘Wakulima’ is one of the largest produce markets within the capital, home to at least 20,000 traders on any given day.