Chaos erupted at the Burma market in Nairobi after a section of traders took to the streets to protest the move by Governor Jonson Sakaja's administration to increase the levy they pay for their business.
The market which is known for selling meat turned ugly after police lobbed teargas canisters to contain angry traders who were opposed to the levy.
Business was paralysed at the market as traders scampered for safety.
A trader who spoke to the media during the protest said the levy had been doubled, making it difficult for them to do business.
"The problem facing this market today has been occasioned by the City Council. They have hiked cess fee for cow carcasses," a trader who spoke at the market said.
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She said at the beginning they used to pay Sh50 per cow carcass but now the amount has been doubled.
"We used to pay Sh150 per carcass, that is a full cow. For now, they have hiked the fee to Sh300. Surprisingly the amount is not for the full carcass since we are paying a separate amount for tripe, carcass feet, head and cowhide," she said.
According to the trader, the increase in cess paid is a blow to many of them considering that they pay a lot to transport the cows to Nairobi.
"It costs a lot to bring a cow to Nairobi. We have not received any reason why they have increased the amount we are paying. We can't see anything they have done warranting the increase of cess," she said.
