Protests in Emali town have brought traffic on the busy Mombasa Road to a standstill leaving numerous motorists and passengers stranded for hours.The demonstration which began early in the morning was sparked by local residents demanding better infrastructure and public services.
Protesters set up roadblocks and burned tires effectively cutting off one of the main arteries connecting Nairobi to Mombasa.Commuters reported being stuck in their vehicles with no movement for hours as police attempted to manage the situation.
We've been here since 7 AM said Jane Mwende a passenger traveling to Mombasa. There’s no clear indication of when we’ll be able to move again. People are running out of water and food, and there’s no access to restrooms.
Local authorities have called for calm and urged the protesters to disperse peacefully. We understand the frustrations of the residents but disrupting traffic on such a crucial road affects thousands of people said Emali's Deputy County Commissioner, John Mwangi.
The protests have caused significant delays for travelers and transporters impacting businesses relying on the road for the delivery of goods.Emergency services have also faced challenges reaching those in need due to the roadblocks.
Efforts are ongoing to negotiate with the protest leaders to restore normalcy.However as of now there is no clear timeline for when the road will be reopened.Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes.