Thika Road Chaos as Protesters Block Highway at Pangani Amid Claims of Robberies and Armed Youths
Traffic along Nairobi’s busy Thika Road was severely disrupted on Friday morning after groups of protesting youths blocked sections of the highway near Pangani, triggering widespread congestion and panic among motorists.
The incident unfolded during the morning rush hour, bringing movement along one of Kenya’s busiest transport corridors to a near standstill as commuters struggled to navigate the unfolding chaos.
Videos and eyewitness accounts circulating on social media showed thick smoke billowing from the roadside while long queues of vehicles stretched along the highway. Several pedestrians were seen running from the scene as others moved cautiously between stationary vehicles.
According to witness reports shared with Kenyans.co.ke, some individuals within the protesting crowd were allegedly armed with machetes and other crude weapons. Unverified reports also claimed that several motorists were robbed after being forced to stop as the road became impassable.
The reports could not immediately be independently verified, and authorities had not issued an official statement confirming the alleged robberies or the identities of those involved at the time of publication.
Motorists were forced to seek alternative routes as the blockade caused significant delays, with many commuters expressing concern over their safety while travelling through the affected area.
The disturbance comes amid heightened tensions surrounding ongoing demonstrations in parts of the country, with security agencies remaining on alert to prevent further disruptions to public transport and business activities.
Police officers were expected to move in to restore order and reopen the affected section of the highway, although it remained unclear whether any arrests had been made.
Authorities are yet to provide an official update on the situation, including the extent of any injuries, damage to property or the reported criminal incidents.
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