Transport paralysed along Naivasha-Nairobi Highway following anti-Ngilu protests

Motorists stranded along the Naivasha-Nairobi Highway after protests  on Monday, February 26. [Photo: Courtesy]

Police have in running battles with protesters who were deflating car tyres on the Naivasha-Nairobi Highway.

Motorists plying the route were stranded for more than 10 hours.

The gridlock that began at around 0600 hours this morning  forced commuters to look for alternative routes.

Motorists stranded along the Naivasha-Nairobi Highway after protests started on Monday, February 26. [Photo: Courtesy]

The protesters were decrying harassment by the Kitui County officials following a ban on charcoal kilns and transportation last month, which led to one of the traders’ lorries being burnt slightly over two weeks ago.

According to our team on the ground, the demonstrations remained peaceful for most part of the day with protesters seeking audience of both President Uhuru and his deputy William Ruto, to give the way forward.

A section of the Naivasha-Nairobi Highway that was blocked by demonstrators. [Standard]

 

This is however not the first time angry charcoal traders have barricaded roads.

Last week, tension was high between communities living in Kitui, Machakos and Kiambu Counties after protests  along the Thika-Garissa highway after a truck was burnt.

Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu banned charcoal kilns and illegal sand harvesting in her county and has since refused to lift the ban even after appearing before the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) earlier today.

More to follow.