NAIROBI, Kenya – Motorists and passengers using the Thika Superhighway were on Thursday morning caught in massive traffic snarl-ups after anti-riot police mounted roadblocks at several entry points into Nairobi ahead of planned June 25 demonstrations.
Traffic ground to a near standstill in multiple sections of the highway as police intensified security checks, with vehicles stretching for long distances and movement slowing significantly.
Several motorists were turned back while others remained stranded after officers restricted access into the city, leaving hundreds of commuters unable to proceed with their journeys.
Videos circulating from the affected areas showed large crowds of passengers and pedestrians gathered along the roadside after being forced to alight from public service vehicles.
Many were seen trekking on foot towards Nairobi as transport services struggled to navigate the restrictions.
Long queues of vehicles — including private cars, matatus, lorries and fuel tankers — were seen occupying multiple lanes of the highway, further compounding the disruption.
The situation left many commuters stranded, with some waiting by the roadside for alternative transport while others opted to walk long distances to reach their destinations.
The disruptions come amid heightened security measures ahead of demonstrations planned to mark the June 25, 2024 Gen Z protests, which sparked nationwide unrest and renewed debate over governance and police response to public demonstrations.