Business came to a standstill at Nakuru town centre after several hours of running battles between anti-riot police officers and locals who joined a matatu operators’ protest.
Earlier on Monday morning, matatu crews regrouped at their new termini at Kwa Jack, KFA and Kingdom to strategise on how to force their way to the old bus stations in the central business district.
The locals lit bonfires on several streets as police officers fired teargas canisters to disperse them.
According to some of the matatu operators, they will stop at nothing to access their old termini, accusing Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui of disrespecting them and failing to provide basic amenities at their new stages.
Scores of travellers were left stranded as the back and forth between the police and residents persisted way past midday.
Last week, Governor Kinyanjui said that matatus would not be allowed into the town centre as he plans to have the county headquarters granted city status.
The matatu operators have been holding several demos, calling to be allowed back as they have no amenities to use.
Nakuru OCPD Ellena Kabukuru led the push back against the demonstrators.
