There was drama in Kisumu on Thursday after anti-riot police officers engaged a section of traders near the Jubilee market in running battles.
The traders who had displayed their wares near the restored Oile Park near the Kisumu-Nairobi, were caught unawares by the armed officers who dispersed them from the area.
Police lobbed teargas canisters prompting the traders, mostly women, to scamper for safety. The traders alleged that they had been informed by the Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma to sell their goods around the park but not inside the restored park.
“We went to see the governor today in his offices and he assured us that we can sell our items here along the road but not inside the Oile Park,” said one of the traders.
However police officers accompanied by market superintendents could hear none of that and ordered the traders out of the vicinity.
Oile Park restoration process being spearheaded by the Kisumu city Manager Doris Ombara has been ongoing for the last three months after traders who had turned the public park into a market were relocated to other markets.
Ombara is on record saying that no trader will ever be allowed back into or around the park. She added that there are several designated markets in Kisumu city which are idle and can be used by the traders.