NAIROBI, Kenya- Traffic along the busy Thika Superhighway was brought to a standstill on Tuesday after angry residents staged protests following the discovery of a body floating in the Ruiru River near Gwa Kairo Stage.
Witnesses said residents blocked sections of the highway with stones and other objects, disrupting traffic in both directions as motorists were forced to seek alternative routes or remain stranded for hours.
The body, believed to be that of an adult male, was spotted floating in the river beneath a bridge opposite Astro Petro Station near the Gwa Kairo Stage area, drawing large crowds to the scene.
Local divers later retrieved the body from the water as police officers responded to secure the area.
The discovery sparked outrage among residents, who demanded answers over the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.
The incident comes amid heightened public concern over a series of unexplained disappearances and killings reported in recent weeks.
Videos shared on social media showed protesters chanting and barricading the highway, causing a major traffic snarl-up on one of Kenya’s busiest transport corridors linking Nairobi to Kiambu and the Mt Kenya region.
Police later moved to disperse the demonstrators and restore traffic flow, although it was not immediately clear whether any arrests had been made or if anyone was injured during the protest.
Authorities had not identified the deceased or disclosed the cause of death by the time of publication.
The body was expected to be moved to a mortuary pending identification and a post-mortem examination as investigations continue.