KENYAN police fired rubber bullets in several parts of Nairobi on Wednesday to disperse striking mini-bus touts who erected barricades, set fire to tyres and stoned buses. Thousands of commuters were stranded as the drivers and conductors of the mini-buses went on strike to protest government plans to introduce new licensing rules. Business came to a standstill in central and downtown Nairobi as traders pulled down their shutters, fearing looting. The new regulations would entail more licences and insurance for the mini-buses, their drivers and conductors.