In late August 2024, Karen traders and hawkers engaged in a tense standoff with police during protests against their eviction.
The conflict arose after the traders were ordered to vacate the area, leading to a heated confrontation that saw police deploy teargas to disperse the demonstrators.
The protestors, mainly composed of small-scale traders and hawkers, were determined to resist the eviction, citing their reliance on the area for their livelihoods.
The situation quickly escalated into running battles as the traders, refusing to leave without a fight, clashed with law enforcement officers.
The police, aiming to restore order, resorted to teargas and physical force, further intensifying the chaos.
The traders, on the other hand, hurled stones and other objects in a bid to push back against the police’s advance.
The confrontation caused significant disruptions in the area, with several roads being temporarily blocked by the protestors.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of tensions between local authorities and informal traders in Nairobi and its environs.
Similar protests have occurred in other areas like Kitengela, where traders have also resisted eviction efforts.
These conflicts highlight the ongoing struggle for space and survival among Nairobi’s urban poor, who depend on informal trading for their day-to-day income.
The traders argue that the evictions are carried out without providing them with viable alternatives, leaving them with few options but to resist​.
