Businesses in Isinya town, Kajiado County, were brought to a standstill after violent clashes erupted among boda boda riders on Thursday, sparking widespread panic and property damage. According to eyewitnesses, what began as a small altercation among the riders quickly escalated into full-blown chaos, drawing in locals and prompting a heavy security response.
Videos circulating online show groups of suspected boda boda riders chasing rivals while hurling stones and other dangerous objects. Residents were seen fleeing the melee as tension gripped the usually calm town.
Security agencies in the area reportedly convened an emergency meeting to assess the situation and determine the root cause of the unrest. While the exact trigger remains unclear, unverified reports suggest that the clashes may have been fueled by tribal tensions between two dominant communities in the region.
Amid the chaos, an activist from a local Kajiado County politics group came forward to deny accusations of incitement. “Yesterday, I was away from Isinya. Chaos erupted in our beautiful town. I am told that when the security agencies held a meeting, the first name floated was mine! Madam OCS, I am everything but I am not an inciter. I only fight for people’s rights,” he posted on social media.
The unrest in Isinya comes just hours after traders at the Fig Tree Market in Ngara protested the demolition of their shops. The traders claimed their stalls were being torn down by unidentified groups to pave the way for new housing projects. Reports indicate that the market had been leased temporarily to the traders, but disputes arose when the lease expired and some refused to vacate.
As calm slowly returns to Isinya, authorities have urged residents to remain peaceful while investigations continue into the cause of the violence.
