Entrepreneurs operating at United Textile Mall on Eastleigh’s First Avenue in Nairobi are counting losses following a violent eviction attempt on Thursday night.
According to witnesses, a gang of masked men entered the venue, demolished what was visible, and loaded the goods in their vehicle as they were evicting the area.
However, traders say they got a call at night warning them about the robbery, and on going there, they found the mall and its surroundings heavily guarded by the villains. The police tried to bring back order but were met with resistance.
The clashes were so violent that not only one or two persons got minor injuries but several people got seriously wounded and had to nurse. The unfortunate traders went on to say that their ex-landlord, who might have done it for fun as he just sold the property, was behind this dreadfully planned attack.
Meanwhile, the tenants have valid six-year lease agreements, and these authorize them to occupy the premises.
The traders are now calling on police to ensure that the security is intensified at the mall to both protect their businesses and dodge such a storm in the future.
