By Andrew Kariuki

Transport along the busy Kenyatta Road was disrupted on Friday morning after sections of the highway were blocked using burning tyres as a matatu strike began, causing major traffic snarl-ups and leaving hundreds of commuters stranded.

Witnesses at the scene reported that groups of protesters lit tyres across sections of the road early in the morning, forcing motorists to slow down or seek alternative routes as thick smoke engulfed parts of the area.

The disruption comes amid a developing standoff involving matatu operators and drivers, with several public service vehicles reportedly staying off the roads as the strike intensified.

Commuters travelling to Nairobi and neighboring areas were forced to walk long distances after transport operations along parts of the route became inaccessible.

Videos and images from the scene showed flames rising from burning tyres as traffic built up along both sides of the road, with motorists expressing frustration over the delays.

Some passengers were seen stranded at various bus stages while others scrambled for alternative transport amid fears that the disruption could spread to other routes.

Police officers were later deployed to the area to monitor the situation and restore normal traffic flow as tensions remained high.

By morning hours, movement along sections of Kenyatta Road remained significantly affected, with transport operators and commuters alike feeling the impact of the ongoing strike.

The exact grievances behind the industrial action had not yet been formally communicated by officials by the time of publication, although transport disruptions continued to escalate across the area.