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Traffic along Thika Road was thrown into chaos on Wednesday afternoon after protests erupted in Githurai, where residents confronted police over the demolition of roadside markets.
The standoff unfolded near the Githurai overpass, with demonstrators burning tyres and barricading parts of the highway in opposition to the ongoing demolitions. Police responded by dispersing the crowd, resulting in running battles between officers and protesters.
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The unrest led to severe traffic congestion, with motorists heading toward Nairobi’s central business district stranded for hours.
The demolitions are being conducted by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), which says the operation is meant to clear road reserves in preparation for infrastructure improvements.
On February 10, KeNHA issued a seven-day notice directing traders operating along sections of the Thika Superhighway at Roysambu (both directions) and Githurai (Nairobi-bound side) to vacate the road reserve. The authority said the move is intended to allow construction of designated bus bays to facilitate safe and orderly passenger pick-up and drop-off, while also easing traffic congestion.
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According to KeNHA, the project is part of wider road safety measures aimed at reducing accidents and removing obstructions from major highways.
The Thika Superhighway is one of the country’s busiest transport routes, connecting Nairobi to central and eastern Kenya, and is often plagued by traffic, particularly around Roysambu and Githurai.
Established under the Kenya Roads Act, 2007, KeNHA operates under the Ministry of Roads and Transport. It is tasked with developing, rehabilitating, and maintaining national trunk roads, overseeing highway planning and design, safeguarding road reserves, and ensuring quality and safety standards across key transport corridors.
