Running battles in Eastleigh as hawkers are evicted
Eastleigh was transformed into a battle field on Saturday as hawkers violently resisted the demolition of their makeshift structures.
The latest incident comes after mall owners and traders opted to shut down their businesses to protest against encroachment of the premises by hawkers.
Some hawkers who had rebuilt their structures were arrested by police officers, prompting street protests on Friday.
On Saturday the streets of Eastleigh were no go zones as City Hall askaris and police officers complete with a water cannon and teargas engaged the hawkers in a cat and mouse chase.
LAW AND ORDER
Nairobi Governor Dr Evans Kidero said the Nairobi City County government is 100% committed to restoring law and order in Nairobi.
“The County’s Enforcement team will not tire in its quest to clean up the city and rid it of illegal structures and business as seen in Eastleigh,” said Dr Kidero.
The hawkers marched to City Hall after protesting along several streets and demanded to be addressed by the Governor.
The demonstration turned ugly when it was infiltrated by goons who went on a looting spree and robbing innocent people off their belongings.
The hawkers however maintained it’s unfair to evict them and criticised mall owners who closed their premises on Wednesday in protest against them.