Transport was paralysed at KenCom and Ambassadeur junctions along Moi Avenue and Haille Selassie roundabout in Nairobi City centre, following differences between some of the matatu operators and Nairobi County askaris.
Matatu operators from NMOA, Astrabell Sacco and MetroTrans transport Sacco blocked roads using their vehicles, making it difficult for other motorists to access their destinations, Wednesday evening.
This followed an impromptu operation by County askaris targeting to arrest operators who were picking and dropping passengers and operating in un-designatd roads and bus terminus.
The operators claimed County askaris were molesting them by breaking their matatu window glasses, besides beating up some passengers, and drivers demanding, for bribes.
An official from Matatu Association Wilfred Bosire said the norm was recurrent, adding that the askaris have occasionally been demanding at least Sh5,000 from operators.
"These people have been molesting matatu operators by breaking matatu window glasses, and beating up drivers and passengers. We have said it is enough until they stop this criminal acts,'' Bosire told a local radio station.
Traffic piled up on major city roads, with most of the motorists using Ronald Ngala street, and Kirinyaga road to get out of town, through the Machakos Country Bus and University Way.
Bus fares were also hiked, with commuters scrambling for any available matatu.
No duty traffic marshall was willing to speak about the matter, when reached for comment.