Panic as Youths Block Thika Road, Attack Motorists and Cause Massive Traffic Snarl
Traffic along Nairobi’s busy Thika Road was brought to a complete standstill on Friday morning after groups of protesting youths blocked sections of the highway, sparking panic among motorists and commuters.
The unrest, which was reported near the Pangani section of the highway, caused major disruptions as hundreds of motorists were forced to seek alternative routes amid fears for their safety.
Armed Youths Cause Chaos on Thika Road
Witnesses at the scene reported that some of the suspected protesters were armed with machetes and other crude weapons as they marched along the busy highway.
Videos and images shared on social media showed thick smoke rising from the roadside as frightened commuters ran for safety while others attempted to navigate through the growing chaos.
Footage from the scene also captured long queues of vehicles stretching several metres as traffic ground to a halt on one of Nairobi’s busiest transport corridors linking the city centre to Kiambu County.
Several motorists were seen driving cautiously through the affected area while others abandoned the route altogether to avoid possible attacks.
Vehicles Allegedly Stoned and Property Damaged
As tensions escalated, the rowdy youths allegedly began pelting moving vehicles with stones, vandalising property and targeting unsuspecting passersby.
The incident left hundreds of commuters stranded, with many unable to proceed to their destinations as traffic congestion worsened.
At the time of publication, the full extent of the damage remained unclear, with no official reports confirming injuries, fatalities or the value of property destroyed during the chaos.
Social media users flooded various platforms with videos and images from the scene, with many calling for an immediate police response to restore order.
Police Yet to Issue Statement
By the time of publication, the National Police Service (NPS) had not released an official statement regarding the incident or confirmed whether any arrests had been made.
Authorities were also yet to establish the motive behind the demonstrations, leaving many Kenyans questioning the circumstances that led to the disruption.
The incident has once again highlighted growing concerns over insecurity during protests and demonstrations, with motorists increasingly becoming victims of vandalism, robbery and intimidation.
Concerns Over Goons Infiltrating Demonstrations
The latest chaos on Thika Road comes amid renewed national debate over the alleged use of organised criminal gangs to infiltrate protests and cause destruction.
In recent months, several demonstrations across the country have been marred by incidents of looting, vandalism and attacks on motorists, raising concerns about public safety and the need for tighter security measures.
The Friday incident occurred barely two weeks after President William Ruto directed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to carry out a nationwide crackdown on criminal gangs and their financiers.
Speaking on June 19, President Ruto accused a section of politicians, particularly those in the opposition, of allegedly sponsoring organised youth groups to unleash terror and create instability in the country.
Commuters Call for Enhanced Security
Friday’s disruption on Thika Road has once again exposed the vulnerability of motorists and commuters during periods of unrest.
Many Kenyans have called on security agencies to intensify patrols along major highways and ensure that criminal elements do not exploit protests to target innocent citizens.
As investigations into the incident continue, motorists and residents are hoping for swift action from authorities to prevent a repeat of similar scenes on one of the country’s busiest roads.