Tension mounts as hawkers moved

Riot police officers patrol the streets of Nakuru town, yesterday. The county administration is evicting hawkers from the town centre to Nasha’s Square bus park opposite the Nakuru main bus terminus. But the move has been met with resistance from the traders. [PHOTO: BONIFACE THUKU/STANDARD]

The Nakuru County Government yesterday began the first phase of relocating hawkers who had illegally occupied the town's central business district for years amid heightened tension.

Hundreds of anti-riot police officers who had been called to supervise county askaris conducting the 2am demolition were forced to hurl tear gas canisters to disperse hawkers who resisted the exercise.