Kitengela Market closed indefinitely

Kajiado Governor David Nkedianye has said his county government has closed the Kitengela Market indefinitely after Tuesday’s chaos by traders and locals over space in the market.

Area residents are now blaming leaders for inciting the traders from different communities to violence that resulted in the destruction of property in the busy town.

On Tuesday, tension was high in Kitengela town following a confrontation between members of one community and the police over allocation of business space in the fast-growing town.

The community engaged police in running battles after it raided the Kitengela Market and tried to forcefully eject traders saying that the market belongs to them.

Several people were injured, including a Radio Citizen journalist following the chaos.

It is said that the two factions were fighting over business space that had been set aside by the County Government of Kajiado in Kitengela.

Police officers were forced to use tear gas and fire live bullets to disperse the unruly crowd, with shops and banks being closed for fear of theft.

The community, according to sources, wants half of the business space allocated to them before other communities can be considered.

Kajiado County Police Commandant Joel Langat assured residents of peace and warned them against hate and tribalism.

GSU officers were also sent to the area to help police officers in restoring calm.