Business in Eldoret town came to a standstill after police clashed with hawkers within the Central Business District (CBD).
During the incident that occurred on Thursday, November 17, a section of the hawkers raided shops and a supermarket.
Looters were filmed stealing a generator, and other valuable goods in a video shared widely.
Additionally, cars that were parked outside the supermarket were also destroyed. The rioters broke the windows and also made way with some items.
At some point, the police had to lob tear gas canisters to deter the rioters from the looting spree.
Traders were forced to shut down their businesses to protect their property.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Elvis Kibet, a trader in Eldoret, revealed that the running battles started after police forcefully attempted to remove hawkers from the CBD.
“The county government was effecting orders to remove them from undesignated business points. They tried enforcing it twice, but today, it went overboard.
“It seems the hawkers colluded with the street children to fight back as they want to be allowed to sell within the CBD,” he stated.
Following the incident, residents called on the police to reinforce their units to deal with the hawkers and other rogue traders.
Others also called for the arrest of rioters involved in the looting and destroying property.
At the time of publishing, the county government and the police were yet to issue a statement on the same.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE
