Today, a major disruption hit the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway at Kangemi as a group of youths blocked the road in a surge of ongoing nationwide protests in Kenya.
The demonstrations, which began over a month ago as opposition to a finance bill, have since transformed into widespread anti-government protests with the rallying cry, “Occupy Everywhere.”
Starting early this morning, the youths blocked both directions of the highway using stones and burning tires.
This protest action has effectively halted traffic on one of the busiest routes, leading to significant delays for commuters and cargo transport.
Vehicles heading in and out of Nairobi have been forced to find alternative routes, causing chaos and frustration among drivers and passengers.
The blockage began with a small group of protesters but quickly grew as more people joined in, gathering at the Waiyaki Way footbridge near Kangemi.
The protestors' numbers increased rapidly, and their presence was felt strongly as they chanted slogans and called for change.
The situation soon attracted the attention of the police, who responded by deploying officers to the area.
In an attempt to disperse the protesters, police fired tear gas, marking the first use of such measures in today’s demonstrations.
Despite a court order prohibiting the use of tear gas and live bullets against demonstrators, the police found it challenging to control the growing crowd.
Their actions have intensified tensions and raised concerns about the potential for further violence and unrest.
Across the country, protests have erupted in several other regions, including Mombasa, Kisumu, Kisii, Migori, Kitengela, and Makueni.
While Nairobi remains relatively calm, reports and live footage indicate that crowds are gathering in various parts of the city, and a tense atmosphere prevails.
In Mombasa, large numbers of protestors have taken to the streets, leading to the closure of Mbaraki Girls Secondary School as a precautionary measure.
As of the latest reports, the ongoing protests have resulted in 39 deaths and 361 injuries. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has reported 32 abductions and 627 arrests related to the unrest.
The situation remains fluid, with heavy police and military presence in many areas, including the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) on standby at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi.
Businesses across the capital have closed their doors to prevent looting, a concern that arose during last week’s protests.
The police have closed all roads leading to the State House, and Parliament Road also remains shut off, with water cannons on standby at key locations like the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
Here's the link to the story
https://x.com/Kenyans/status/1808074722732655072?t=2Ae9zGURFppMU7hrz7yQLg&s=19