As Cord supporters took to the streets on Monday leaving a trail of destruction, businesses in the CBD have started feeling the pinch threatening closure.
In the chaotic protests, motorists were robbed and some vehicles damaged as the rowdy goons ran the streets.
The Star reports that rowdy youths ‘infiltrated’ the protests around Anniversary Towers. The protest then evolved and went beyond the IEBC offices forcing motorists to use alternative routes and businesses closed.
The protesters broke some motorists' side mirrors while drivers heading into the CBD from Westlands were forced to use Kipande Road.
Some of the demonstrators marched to City Hall Way forcing the closure of the Nakumatt Supermarket located there.
On Muindi Mbingu Street, shop owners were forced to close as demonstrators approached.
Transport on Moi Avenue and Tom Mboya Street was paralysed as the police and the protesters engaged in running battles.
The star quotes a business owner who did not want to be named saying: "Every Monday we suffer losses. It is painful. The best thing is to avoid the CBD every Monday. If Cord continues with its protests, I will not be opening my shop on Mondays."
Police fired tear gas and water cannon at stone-throwing crowds who want the IEBC scrapped for allegedly being biased.
Officers armed with batons confronted hundreds of protesters outside the offices of the commission, the third clash over the issue in less than a month.
The Star reports that as numbers grew, police fired tear gas and water cannon from trucks parked nearby at protesters. A Reuters witness saw one protester carrying a bag of stones, while others threw them at police ranks. Police struck some protesters with batons.
Cord has accused the IEBC of bias and said its members should quit. IEBC officials, led by chairman Issack Hassan, have dismissed the charge and say they will stay.
Raila Odinga was instrumental in the constitution of the commission having been a coalition leader with President Mwai Kibaki.
After the formation, Raila gave the IEBC a clean bill of health saying the referee and linesmen were okay.