The dramatic scenes unfolded following President William Ruto's recent directive targeting foreigners engaged in small-scale trading activities.
The youths, who moved in coordinated groups through the CBD, brandished crude weapons and shouted at foreign traders, particularly those from neighbouring countries, demanding they shut down their businesses and return to their home countries.
The chaotic demonstration sent shockwaves through the city, with businesses hurriedly closing their shutters as traders and pedestrians scrambled for safety.
RELATED ARTICLE: See how this married man was embarrassed by a LADY on social media after he refused to settle her dues after MECHI - Women can be ruthlessPresident Ruto's directive, announced on September 2, 2026, ordered foreign nationals operating as street hawkers and in petty retail trade to cease their activities, with enforcement scheduled to begin on Monday, September 7.
The President argued that small-scale businesses should be reserved for Kenyan citizens, questioning why foreigners should compete with locals in low-capital enterprises.
"It cannot be that a person comes from China or elsewhere to be a hawker or open a small shop," Ruto stated.
The crackdown is aimed at protecting opportunities for Kenyans and addressing the country's persistent youth unemployment crisis.
Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui underscored the government's concern that foreign traders were occupying opportunities that could otherwise benefit Kenyan youth.
However, the directive has triggered anxiety among foreign traders, with footage circulating online appearing to show nationals from Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo leaving areas where they had been engaged in petty trade.
Civil society organisations have condemned the directive, warning that its implementation could fuel discrimination, xenophobic profiling and harassment of vulnerable migrant communities.
The President argued that small-scale businesses should be reserved for Kenyan citizens, questioning why foreigners should compete with locals in low-capital enterprises.
"It cannot be that a person comes from China or elsewhere to be a hawker or open a small shop," Ruto stated.
The crackdown is aimed at protecting opportunities for Kenyans and addressing the country's persistent youth unemployment crisis.
Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui underscored the government's concern that foreign traders were occupying opportunities that could otherwise benefit Kenyan youth.
However, the directive has triggered anxiety among foreign traders, with footage circulating online appearing to show nationals from Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo leaving areas where they had been engaged in petty trade.
Civil society organisations have condemned the directive, warning that its implementation could fuel discrimination, xenophobic profiling and harassment of vulnerable migrant communities.
RECOMMENDED: Paybill Inafanya Nini Kwa Nyumba? Netizens react to a video of a LADY pulling crazy stunts inside her house! Huyu Ni Kama Anauza Kasusu (VIDEO)The organisations cautioned that an indiscriminate crackdown could expose refugees and asylum seekers to arbitrary arrest, confiscation of goods and even community violence.
The scenes in Nakuru's CBD evoke painful memories of xenophobic violence witnessed elsewhere on the continent, with analysts warning Kenya against following the path of South Africa.
As the crackdown deadline arrives, the fate of hundreds of foreign small-scale traders now hangs in the balance, while community leaders in Nakuru have sounded the alarm about the recruitment of troubled youth to incite chaos.
The scenes in Nakuru's CBD evoke painful memories of xenophobic violence witnessed elsewhere on the continent, with analysts warning Kenya against following the path of South Africa.
As the crackdown deadline arrives, the fate of hundreds of foreign small-scale traders now hangs in the balance, while community leaders in Nakuru have sounded the alarm about the recruitment of troubled youth to incite chaos.
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