Business disrupted as Eastleigh matatu operators clash with hawkers

Business activities ground to a halt on Mohamed Yusuf Haji Avenue in Eastleigh on Monday following a confrontation between matatu operators and hawkers.

The chaos that ensued disrupted traffic after a section of the road was blocked, forcing local businesses to shut down.

According to Billy Jayz, a matatu driver, unidentified individuals arrived early in the morning and obstructed the doors of the matatus as they were picking up passengers. This action provoked the drivers to retaliate by shutting down the road. 

"People came here early morning and closed the doors of our matatus. We don't know who they were, but that is why we closed the road," said Billy in an interview with The Eastleigh Voice.

However, tensions between the matatu operators and hawkers had been simmering for some time. 

The confrontation started on Sunday after a hawker, a young woman, was severely beaten by matatu operators at Bangkok Shopping Mall.

Passersby intervened to help her, and soon after, a fight broke out between the matatu operators and the hawkers. The situation quickly escalated, prompting the arrival of the police, who used teargas to disperse the crowd.

The woman, who sustained serious injuries to her face and hands, was quickly rushed to Madina Hospital by onlookers. 

Business was brought to a standstill along Yusuf Haji Avenue in Eastleigh after matatu operators and hawkers clashed on Monday, September 23, 2024. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)

On Monday, police officers attempted to disperse the crowd with teargas and clear the blocked roads, but they were unable to fully resolve the situation.

A police officer who requested anonymity told The Eastleigh Voice that the situation had worsened beyond their control. 

"It is beyond us for now. They need to go, sit down, and have a solution because they need each other," said the officer.

Omar Ahmed, the organising secretary of the Eastleigh Business District Association, criticised the matatu operators for using the area as an unofficial parking zone, which he said was illegal. 

He explained that the presence of several matatus in the area made it difficult for hawkers to conduct their businesses. 

"They pack hundreds of matatus here, making it hard for anyone to do business. This is not a parking area. From midnight, you will find those matatus parked here. It is illegal," said Omar.

As tensions continued, many shop owners at Bangkok Shopping Mall chose to close their businesses, fearing that the situation could spiral out of control and lead to property damage. While the police were on-site, no immediate solution was reached, and the area remained volatile.