Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s convoy was on Wednesday temporarily halted along Mombasa Road after rival groups of youths engaged in violent clashes, pelting stones and barricading sections of the highway.
The confrontation reportedly began around Cabanas, near the Airport North Road linkages, where groups of youths on motorbikes hurled stones at each other. Images and videos circulating online showed the chaos spilling over to the Deputy President’s motorcade, with stones striking vehicles and forcing the convoy to slow down.
The rival groups escalated the confrontation by blocking the road with large rocks, effectively paralysing traffic on one of Nairobi’s busiest highways. The disruption not only hindered the movement of motorists but also delayed Gachagua’s planned trip to Kamukunji, where he was scheduled to address a rally.
Despite a heavy police deployment in the area, law enforcement officers initially appeared reluctant to intervene as the situation intensified. Motorists caught in the melee were left stranded as youths clashed, some of them continuing to throw stones even in the presence of uniformed officers. Moments later, however, police were seen attempting to disperse the groups and block others arriving on motorbikes from joining the fracas.
At the height of the confrontation, Gachagua was forced to retreat into his car after initially waving to supporters from the sunroof. Earlier at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), the Deputy President had also briefly emerged from the roof of his vehicle but was advised by airport security to step back inside as tensions rose.
The incident highlights growing political tensions in the city, with rival groups frequently using confrontational tactics to disrupt rallies and motorcades. It also raises fresh concerns over security preparedness in handling political events, particularly when senior government officials are involved.
By the time calm began to return, traffic on Mombasa Road had been severely disrupted, leaving many commuters stuck for hours. Authorities are yet to confirm whether any arrests were made following the clashes.
