About 45 malls remained closed yesterday in Eastleigh as traders protested what they termed "invasion by hawkers".
The traders said hawkers display their wares outside their shops, blocking the entrance and exit of their shops.
Hawkers in the area said they were happy with the closure of the malls as they expected to make good money from their businesses.
Eastleigh Business District Association chairman Ibrahim Hussein said about 20,000 hawkers have invaded the area.
He said if the county government is not going to relocate the hawkers, they will protests every week on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Our total investment here in Eastleigh is more than Sh100 billion. Every month the county government collects Sh1 billion in tax, which is 35 per cent of the total revenue collection in the entire county," Hussein said.
He said if the county government fails to relocate the hawkers, they will not remit taxes.
"We are experiencing significant losses as the increased numbers of hawkers have resulted to many insecurity incidents, which have scared investors and customers," Hussein said.
He said some cartels have colluded with the hawkers to rob people in broad daylight.
The hawkers, however, denied the allegations terming them "rumors meant to tarnish their reputation".
Chairman Haji Abdi said the hawkers have invaded the roads as renting business premises in the area is extremely expensive.
"For you to get a business premises in Eastleigh, you have to pay Sh8 million as goodwill. The cheapest rental shop you can acquire is Sh70,000 per month and to most of our members cannot raise such an amount monthly," he said.
Haji said they have instructed all their members to take advantage of the closure to make money from their businesses.
He said if the county government gives them an alternative market, they will move from the roads.
Two weeks ago, the hawkers stoned Moonlight Mall after its management asked them to leave the main entrance.
Mall owner Idris Ali said the hawkers refused to leave and engaged police in running battles.