Thousands of city-bound commuters were forced to walk long distances on Thursday morning after the National Police Service heavily barricaded all primary highways leading into Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD).
The sweeping security operations were deployed to intercept and regulate crowds attempting to enter the city center for the June 25 Gen Z anniversary demonstrations, which mark two years since the historic 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests.
Despite official government assurances that Thursday would remain a normal working day, the unexpected early morning checkpoints effectively crippled public and private transport, sparking widespread commuter frustration across the Nairobi Metropolitan Area.
The Highway Gridlock: Key Entry Points Sealed OffAs early as 4:00 a.m., heavy police units—including the General Service Unit (GSU) and regular deployment forces—established fortified checkpoints at every primary arterial corridor connecting Nairobi to its satellite towns:
Thika Superhighway: Checkpoints erected at the Githurai, Roysambu, and Allsops roundabouts completely halted public service vehicles (matatus). Commuters from Ruiru and Kasarani were forced to alight, causing heavy traffic snarl-ups that pushed motorists onto alternative inner routes through Garden Estate and Muthaiga.
Waiyaki Way: Inbound traffic ground to a near standstill following strict security screenings at Uthiru, the 87 area, and the Kangemi flyover, where several matatus were turned back toward Kikuyu. Mombasa Road & Lang’ata Road: Vehicles coming from Athi River and Mlolongo encountered roadblocks just past the Nairobi Expressway merge point. Traffic from Ongata Rongai was actively diverted at the Nyayo Stadium roundabout via Bunyala Road. Jogoo Road & Landhies Road: Commuters from Eastlands were entirely blocked at the City Stadium roundabout, with matatus forced to discharge passengers directly at Muthurwa Market rather than accessing their usual town termini. [ THE NAIROBI CBD BLOCKADE ]
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[ Thika Road ] [ Waiyaki Way ] [ Mombasa Road ]
Blocked at Allsops / Screened at Uthiru / Diverted at Nyayo /
Githurai Roundabout Kangemi Flyover Expressway Exit
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🔻 MASS COMMUTER DISRUPTION 🔻
Thousands Forced to Walk to Work Across Highways
Right Lobbies Demand Removal of RoadblocksThe sweeping transport freeze drew swift condemnation from civil society organizations. The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) issued an immediate statement demanding the removal of all police barriers, arguing that the indiscriminate closures violated a standing High Court ruling that explicitly bars the state from obstructing public roads without providing timely advance notice.
“Police, open the roads now! Authorities must dismantle the roadblocks and restore unimpeded passage for all,” KHRC stated. “The sweeping closures place an unlawful and disproportionate burden on millions of Kenyans, impeding access to healthcare, emergency services, and economic activity.” In contrast, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen maintained that the security deployments along major entry points were not intended to stifle freedoms, but rather to safeguard critical public infrastructure, protect commercial property, and support peaceful assembly while neutralizing potential criminal elements. Casualties and Clashes: Teargas Fires in Githurai and Nairobi CBDDespite the transport lockdown, localized commemorative processions rapidly materialized as the morning progressed.
Tensions boiled over in the early afternoon when police fired canisters of teargas to disperse crowds of youth and journalists matching towards the Central Police Station in Nairobi. Concurrently, a parallel clash erupted along Thika Road near the Githurai roundabout, where security officers deployed teargas to push back demonstrators who had gathered to light bonfires. [ 4:00 AM: Roads Sealed ] ──> Total Gridlock on Thika Rd / Waiyaki Way
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(MIDDAY MARCHES FORM)
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[ 1:30 PM: Clashes Erupt ] ──> Teargas fired at Central Police Station & Githurai
Meanwhile, in Kajiado County, local enforcement authorities took a hardline approach. Kajiado Police Commander Alex Shikondi confirmed that security officers arrested 123 youths—including 94 individuals in Kitengela town—during a aggressive sweep aimed at preventing anniversary gatherings from consolidating into larger marches toward the capital.
A Solemn AnniversaryAs dusk falls over Nairobi, a heavy security presence remains anchored at key government installations, including the barricaded perimeters surrounding Parliament Buildings. While opposition leaders and civil society representatives managed to successfully bypass lines to lay symbolic wreaths in memory of the fallen victims of the 2024 and 2025 protests, the heavy infrastructural gridlock across the capital serves as a stark reminder of the deep, enduring political friction surrounding the anniversary.
