There were chaos at a section of Jogoo Road in Nairobi as traders blocked it to protest the demolition of structures at the nearby Uhuru Market.
The group claimed a private developer planned to demolish their structures to construct new ones.
They said they had not been given an alternative place to sell their wares. In reaction, the protesters lit bonfires on the busy road blocking transport.
Anti-riot police were deployed to the scene prompting running battles.
Police diverted motorists to other routes as the chaos raged for the better part of the morning.
Authorities also sent a message to road users of the route to use alternative routes.
The protests started from the market before spreading to Jogoo Road. Soon after, they set tyres and litter ablaze on the highway, paralysing transport and making the road impassable to motorists.
The bonfires were lit near the junction of Likoni Road, just a few metres from St Stephen’s Anglican Church of Kenya.
Police said they are making efforts to clear the chaos amid efforts to talk to the group to leave the sites.
Nairobi police commander George Sedah said a team had been sent to the site to address the issue.
“Motorists can for now seek alternative routes as we address the issue,” Sedah said.
