Traders from Nairobi's Dubois Street, Gikomba market and Nyamakima market took to the streets on Tuesday, February 28 to protest what they termed as the infiltration of Chinese retailers in the country.
The traders marched to the office of the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to demand protection for their businesses.
In a video seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the traders were carrying pluckards while blowing trumpets and whistles as they walked from downtown Nairobi to the central business district.
The protesting traders blocked Harambee Avenue just in front of the Deputy President's office as they sought for audience with the police.
Videos shared online show a police vehicle at the scene of the protests just in front of Gachagua's office.
The protests come just a day before the date of the planned meeting between the Deputy President and the traders aimed at addressing the rising number of foreign traders in the country, especially Chinese and Pakistani nationals.
This is after the DP gave in to pressure and scheduled a meeting with Nyamakima traders that is slated for Wednesday, March 1.
According to Importers and Small Traders Association Organizing Secretary Anne Nyokabi, the meeting will address foreigners' 'takeover' of local markets.
Among the issues to be discussed in the meeting include the demands by the local traders to be allowed to control the wholesale and retail ends of the value chain.
"We wanted to demonstrate against the government following serious infiltration of our business space by foreigners, especially from China and Pakistan," Nyokabi revealed in an interview on Inooro TV.
However, she indicated that word about the intended protests reached Gachagua who sent emissaries to the traders with the intention of a round-table meeting on March 1.
"There are those among us who are still meeting to plan to go ahead with planned street protest marches but I urge them to first embrace this window of dialogue," Nyokabi indicated.
The traders from various competing trade centres first took their complaints to Gachagua last week, appealing for action and threatening to stage protests.
During the first meeting, Gachagua reiterated that he will act as the guardian angel for Mt Kenya region-based business enterprises in Nairobi.
"President William Ruto’s government will respect businesses and will never entertain any aspect that undermines existing businesses" the Deputy President indicated.
Gachagua indicated that Nyamakima traders had suffered during former President Uhuru Kenyatta's regime and it was time that suffering comes to a stop.
However, some economic experts warn that this might defeat the global concept of liberalisation of trade and usher in pricing cartels.
The developments came in the wake of controversy elicited by the coming of China Square controversy that saw the popular mall at Unicity along Thika road closed indefinitely.
The retail outlet was indefinitely closed with the owner citing a number of reasons that they wanted to work on before reopening.
Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria announced government plans to push for the China Square closure only to on Sunday peddle backwards on the stand.
