Police Called in as Traders Block Busy Road

Traffic was on Friday, February 10, paralysed after City Park Market traders staged a protest along Limuru Road. 

The aggrieved traders blocked the busy road that connects Nairobi’s Central Business District to the Central and Western parts of the country. 

One large metallic kiosk was rolled on the road to prevent vehicles from plying the route. 

The traders then went on a rampage to demand good facilities at the City Park Market, which hosts hundreds of small-scale traders. 

Police officers clearing debris that were scattered on Limuru Road by City Park Market traders during demonstrations on Friday, February 10, 2023.

Twitter/Ma3Route

Police officers cleared debris scattered on Limuru Road by City Park Market, and traders during demonstrations on Friday, February 10, 2023.
Twitter/Ma3Route

The traders called on the government to take quick action and address their concerns, including safety, taxation and other local levies. 

Police officers struggled to quell the rowdy traders throwing rocks and burning tyres during the morning protest. 

City Park Market was on July 26, 2021, opened for use after months of closure, during which the county government rehabilitated the stalls. 

Nairobi County rehabilitated the market with the national government to facelift green spaces within the city. 

The government further expressed confidence in expanding services to support more than five thousand families.

In the new arrangement, over 689 traders were allowed to set up their shops in the refurbished stalls. 

Popularly known for selling horticultural products, City Park Market is a re-distribution centre for many outlets in Nairobi. 

Traders also operate M-Pesa shops, boutiques, cyber cafes and barbershops.

City Park Market traders staged demonstrations along Limuru Road on Friday, February 10, 2023.

Twitter/Ma3Route