Two hawkers killed in clash with police

By CYRUS OMBATI

Two hawkers were Thursday evening killed in a clash with police in Nairobi’s River Road area.

The two identified as only Kamundia and Ras by their colleagues were killed in running battles with police and City Council officials for the better part of the afternoon.

A police officer was also injured in the incident.

It is not clear if they were killed by police bullets as the clash turned violent with some of the traders attempting to rob pedestrians, motorists and shop owners.

Police denied being responsible for the deaths but said there were violent clashes between security agencies and the traders who were joined by gangs of street children.

Police were forced to fire live bullets to the air to disperse the gangs which seemed to be organised.

Traffic police were called to divert vehicles after hawkers started attacking motorists.

Police say they had been called to back city council officials in pushing away the traders who have encroached the streets and have been blamed for violent robberies witnessed in the area.

Several tear gas canisters were thrown to the groups in efforts to disperse them in an operation that lasted for over four hours affecting traffic flow.

The hawkers later staged a protest accusing police of killing the two.

But Nairobi Area police boss Moses Ombati said they were yet to know the circumstances under which the incident happened.

Police managed to push away the traders to Ngara area by 6 pm.

Police believe some of the traders are politically instigated to push their way into the city streets hence compromising security.

Fears are that terrorists may pose as hawkers to stage attacks on premises. Hawkers usually spread their wares on the streets blocking entrances into premises.

Police say they have intelligence that show terrorists want to pose as hawkers to stage attacks.