Dozens of buses heading to Western Kenya stranded on Waiyaki Way

Traffic was interrupted along the busy Waiyaki Way that links Nairobi to the Rift Valley, Western and Nyanza regions, with police officers setting up roadblocks at Kangemi and Westlands areas.

Vehicles were not allowed to access the Nairobi Central Business District, leading to hundreds of Kenyans who were heading to work and other businesses being stranded, while others opted to head back home for their safety.

Public Service Vehicles operating in three regions of the country were parked at the Kabete Police Station, with security officers said to have closed the highway as early as 5am to limit those entering the city in order to manage crowds with the anticipated Saba Saba demonstrations.

More than 50 buses that serve Kisii, Eldoret, Bungoma, Kakamega, Kisumu, Busia, Homa Bay and Migori were stationed all the way from the Kabete Police Station to Kabete National Polytechnic, as the passengers and the operators pondered their next course of action.

Dennis Mogaka, who was a passenger in the Guardian Angel bus from Kisii, said that they arrived at the area at 5am and were informed that they could not proceed further, in what was clearly an attempt to manage those who were getting into the city centre on Monday morning..

“Most of us do not know what to do since we intended to get to Nairobi for various engagements, but here we are caught up in measures said to contain riots during the marking of Saba Saba Day. We hope that our country will remain peaceful,” said Mogaka.

Monica Mueni, who was a passenger on the Easy Coach bus, said that she was in transit to Machakos Town and expected to arrive there before 6am, and that most of them were not sure of their next step, with some travelling away from the city centre.

Andrew Omosa said that he had travelled from Nyamira and intended to go to Kajiado County, where he resides, after attending a funeral back at home, but he was now stranded and not sure at what time he would be able to arrive home, hoping the situation would be calm later in the day.

Kevin Oseko, a driver with Easy Coach, said that they expected to arrive in the city centre before 6am, drop their passengers, then rest as they waited to take back their passengers to various towns in the country in the evening, and that they were not sure whether they would travel back.

“We left Kisii Town at 10pm on Sunday night expecting to arrive in Nairobi City by 5am, expecting to drop our passengers then rest before heading back in the evening with those travelling to various towns in Western Kenya, which we are not sure of,” said Oseko.

Janet Atieno had travelled overnight from Homa Bay Town in the company of her two small children and intended to reach Athi River Town, where she resides, early enough before the demonstrations that were expected took place, but that was never to be.

Sam Oluoch, who had travelled from Migori, said that he was coming to the city since he had a planned medical check-up in one of the private hospitals but was now stranded, not knowing where it would eventually be done since he had intended to travel back on Monday evening.

Most of the PSV vehicles from Kikuyu Town to Nairobi were forced to look for alternative routes in efforts to reach the city centre after finding a police barricade at Kangemi but were unable to go beyond Westlands, with the highway closed and only vehicles coming out allowed.

John Kimani, a driver with Super Metro Bus, said that their business was affected, with roadblocks mounted all the way from Westlands, Kangemi, Kinoo and Gitaru, meaning that they had no option but to park their vehicles, waiting for the situation to calm.

“We are to undergo huge losses today since we are not able to take passengers to town as usual. The police are not taking chances today as they try to limit the number of those going to the city centre. I wish our leaders could address the concerns of citizens to avoid this situation,” said Kimani.

Peter Wahome, a bodaboda operator at Uthiru stage, said that they were forced to close business since there were no customers, with locals fearing for their safety after some goons blocked the road at Uthiru Junction, robbing those passing by before they were repulsed by the police.

Anne Wangare, who runs a boutique in Uthiru Town, said they could not risk opening their shops after suffering losses during the Gen Z demonstration anniversary held on June 25, with goons raiding and getting away with merchandise.

Police officers moved in to repulse youths who were harassing motorists at the Uthiru Junction, as they also removed stones and put out fires lit near the Gitaru area along Waiyaki Way, in efforts to ensure that law and order was maintained.