Matatu operators in Nairobi's Central Business District have blocked major roads and avenues to protest against hawkers occupying their parking spots.
In videos obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, the drivers are seen playing a game of football in the middle of the streets with no traffic on site.
Meanwhile, Public Service Vehicles were forced to cease operations with traffic heading to the CBD getting disrupted as a result.
Reportedly, the roads that have been affected are Moi Avenue, Tom Mboya Street, Accra Road, and Ronald Ngala Street.
So far, the protests have been peaceful but police officers arrived at the scene and were monitoring the development.
The dispute between CBD hawkers and matatu operators has been brewing for weeks since Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja ordered the former to leave major streets and restricted their working hours.
In a directive issued on January 9, Sakaja banned hawking merchandise along walkways in Nairobi's main streets and roads.
He specifically listed Moi Avenue, Haile Selassie Avenue, Kenneth Matiba Road, Latema Road, Ronald Ngala Street, Mfangano Street, Hakati Road, and River Road as off-limits to hawkers.
However, he directed that they would still be allowed to operate on designated backstreets and lanes from Monday to Saturday between 4 pm to 10 pm in an act of goodwill.
These accessible roads include major streets like Tom Mboya Street and Kirinyaga Road.
This limitation led to the hawkers changing tact and infiltrating backstreets which are mostly used by PSV operators to pack their vehicles.
The restriction was part of Governor Sakaja's vision to decongest Nairobi CBD
