Youths block roads in Naivasha ahead of Saba Saba Day

That is the situation in Nakuru City. [Julius Chepkwony, Standard]

In Naivasha, a group of young people blocked sections of the Nairobi-Nakuru highway on Sunday, just before Saba Saba Day.

They robbed numerous passengers, stealing cash and valuables worth thousands of shillings.

Motorists caught off guard by the illegally erected roadblocks were surprised when some chose not to stop.

However, police intervened to manage the situation.

The most affected areas included Kayole, Kinungi, Ihindu, and the Flyover, where the youths demanded fees from drivers to allow their vehicles to pass.

This morning, the youths returned to the streets and blocked Moi South Lake Road at Kamere Centre. Anti-riot police were deployed to clear the road.

The blockage caused significant traffic jams, affecting many workers heading to KenGen, flower farms, and hotels. Traders in Naivasha town closed their businesses out of fear of looting.

Naivasha Deputy County Commissioner Josiah Odongo reported that order had been restored on the highway after police were deployed to the affected areas.

"Groups of youths had blocked sections of the highway on Sunday night, but we managed to contain the situation, and traffic flow has resumed," he stated.

He added that security measures have been intensified around the lakeside town and its surroundings to prevent a repeat of last week’s incident, which resulted in the looting of three supermarkets.

"Currently, many businesses and schools have closed, and matatus have withdrawn from the roads, but we have increased police presence," he said.