Nearly all business premises in Isiolo town were on Friday closed as police officers and boda boda operators engaged in running battles.
The boda boda operators were protesting against ongoing enforcement of traffic law, claiming police are unfairly targeting them in the crackdown.
The riders barricaded roads leading to the town with stones and lit bon fires using tyres.
Police who intervened fired tear gas canisters at the riders, causing tension in the town.
More security officers have been deployed to restore order in the town.