Nairobi Traders Protest Against Rising Insecurity and Drug Dealers in Dagoretti Market
Traders at Dagoretti Market in Nairobi took to the streets on Monday, bringing business to a standstill as they protested against the growing presence of drug dealers in the area.
The traders expressed deep concern over the rising insecurity, blaming drug peddlers for the increase in crime and disorder.
As they lit bonfires and blocked roads within the busy market, the business owners called on the government to take action and remove the drug dealers from their community.
They argued that the presence of these criminals had made it difficult for law enforcement to respond effectively to incidents of violence and theft, as officers often assumed everyone involved was either a drug dealer or a drug addict.
The traders highlighted the growing danger posed by armed criminals who roam the market at night, targeting suspected drug dealers.
These thieves, often armed with machetes, have created a climate of fear that puts innocent vendors at risk.
One of the traders lamented that law enforcement had failed to address the problem, focusing instead on arresting petty offenders while allowing armed criminals to operate freely.
“The police should be replaced. They only arrest drunkards, yet thugs with pangas walk around without fear. We cannot even run our businesses peacefully because of these criminals,” one trader complained.
Beyond insecurity, the traders also raised concerns about the increasing number of young people falling into drug addiction due to the easy availability of narcotics in a nearby open field.
“We want all these drugs out of our community. There is a field close to here where young people gather to use drugs.
The government must act fast and shut it down,” another trader insisted.
“Many children have become addicted because of this place. We want it gone,” a different trader added.
The traders also noted that since most drug addicts were unemployed, they resorted to stealing from hardworking vendors at night.
This situation has made it unsafe for traders to operate their businesses, as they are constantly at risk of being attacked and losing their goods or money.
This protest comes just two days after Nairobi’s matatu operators staged demonstrations in the Central Business District (CBD), blocking key roads to protest against the growing presence of hawkers occupying their designated parking areas.
The transport operators’ strike was the second in two weeks, following a similar protest in the CBD on January 30.
The conflict was triggered by Governor Johnson Sakaja’s initiative to reduce congestion in Nairobi, which involved banning hawkers from operating in several major streets. The restricted streets included Moi Avenue,
Haile Selassie Avenue, Kenneth Matiba Road, Latema Road, Ronald Ngala Street, Mfangano Street, Hakati Road, and River Road.
The situation in both Dagoretti Market and Nairobi’s CBD reflects the growing tensions between different groups affected by insecurity, drug use, and city management policies.
Traders and transport operators continue to demand government intervention to restore order and create a safer environment for businesses and residents.
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