Chaos ensued in the Nairobi Central Business District on Friday, June 13, 2025, after angry hawkers burnt a Nairobi City County vehicle near Afya Centre.
Footage obtained by Kenyans.co.ke showed the vehicle overturned and in flames. Police officers were forced to fire teargas canisters to disperse the irate mob.
The chaos, happening at the heart of the city, unfolded after the hawkers and county askaris reportedly engaged in a standoff.
According to unconfirmed reports, the hawkers were frustrated by what they termed as harassment by the county authorities, leading to tensions and the subsequent chaos.
Details of whether the fracas led to injuries or claimed casualties are yet to be established, although preliminary reports indicate the situation did not descend into anarchy.
Confrontations between city county askaris, otherwise known as kanjo, and hawkers who, on most occasions, operate unlawfully within the city centre are common. However, most of the time, the scenario is characterised by running battles between the two groups, with hawkers aiming to avoid arrest.
Even so, the chaos comes just a day after violent protests were seen at the CBD over the demise of popular X influencer Albert Ojwang.
In the protests, hundreds of youth stormed the streets on Thursday, June 12, demanding the resignation of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat.
The protests threatened to cripple major operations within the CBD, as Kenyans awaited the reading of the 2025/2026 Budget by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi.
Protesters marched through key areas including City Hall, Jeevanjee Gardens, and the Parliament Buildings.
They also occupied critical roads such as Harambee Avenue, signalling their intent to breach the security perimeter around Parliament.
Police responded by dispersing the crowds using tear gas canisters and other crowd-control tactics.
The protesters, some donned in Kenyan flag colours, sang in unison as they demanded the resignation of the DIG over the death of influencer Albert Ojwang while in police custody.
Additionally, images and videos obtained by Kenyans.co.ke showed them waving placards bearing messages directed at authorities, blowing whistles, and carrying twigs.
