Motorists driving along Garden Estate road were teargassed while police attempted to disperse demonstrators on Tuesday morning.
The demonstrators blocked the road and started stoning vehicles after county officials brought down their businesses.
Nairobi City County government announced that it had embarked on the demolitions of illegal structures built on bus termini along major highways in the county.
City Hall deputy director of enforcement Peter Mbaya maintained that the exercise was aimed at restoring the original space allocated to public bus termini in order to allow for free flow of traffic.
[caption caption="Part of Garden Estate road that was barricaded by protesters"]
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“We are demolishing the structures that have been illegally put up by business people in those termini in order to ease matatu movement in the affected termini,” Mbaya stated.
He maintained that the affected traders had been warned three months ago and last week City Hall reminded them again severally.
Mbaya further noted that the field most of the affected individuals were operating in was meant for matatu terminus and not for businesses.
“We cannot allow structures being erected just anywhere as it will lead to a disorganised and chaotic Nairobi," Mbaya stated.
“There is a plan to be followed and there are designated areas for each and every activity,” he added.
[caption caption="Kiosks that were demolished along Garden Estate road"]
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The exercise was also scheduled to move to Muthurwa, central bus station and railways termini.
Here is the video:
On my way to work and this is the entrance to Garden Estate. It’s cops, fire and teargas. No idea what’s happening. pic.twitter.com/NsARTda9UA
— GATHONI (@QueenGathoni) April 17, 2018
