Traders operating at various shops in Thika town have raised alarm over the increased number of hawkers in the town.
The traders said Kiambu County government should move with speed and move the hawkers who are operating in front of their shops.
This comes after hawkers on Thursday evening threatened a businesswoman with a knife after she asked them to move from her shop along Commercial Street near Kassmatt supermarket.
“We pay daily revenue to the county government of Kiambu to sell our products but we are incurring huge losses because the hawkers have invaded Thika town blocking customers.
"The hawkers are operating in front of our shops. We have agreed as traders to stop paying daily taxes until the county government moves hawkers from the front of our shops,” said Jane Muthoni.
Miriam Murimi said she has received threats several times from hawkers once he asks them to move from her shop.
“The hawkers have been threatening me anytime I ask them to move from the front of my shop because they block customers from accessing my shop," Murimi said.
They say despite the numerous complaints they make to county reinforcement officers nothing has been done.
"I am now planning to close down my shop since all my customers have kept off buying from my shop,” said James Wanjau, another trader.